Describe how own values, belief systems and experiences may affect working practiceDepending on your own background, you may have certain types of values and

beliefs that influence the way you approach the world and your work. These may be

values and beliefs that are linked with your religion, if you have a daily or otherwise

regular religious practice, or they may be simply based on the way you were brought

up and the way you live your life.

Your previous life and work experiences will also guide and influence you, and

should not be underestimated for how much they affect your present.

One of the things that make people truly unique is that their life experiences give

them wholly individual outlooks on the world. Just as yours is entirely one-off, so are

those of the young people and their parents, because those life experiences create

patterns in the brain that elicit certain types of response to particular stimuli.

Own values, belief systems and experiences may affect working practice.

1

Did you know?

Our values and beliefs influence the way we connect with people, how we empathise

with them, and interact with them. Sometimes people may seem more harsh or direct

than you feel is necessary, but this may be because they have had the type of life

experiences that did not give them second chances. Other people may be very laid

back and forgiving, and this may be because they were brought up in a more relaxed

way.

Culture also has a large role to play in shaping the way we appreciate the

differences between individuals and between groups of people.

If you work directly with young people and children, you may meet their parents too.

Where you find that someone else's opinion or beliefs are in direct opposition to your

own, you are expected to maintain professional tact and diplomacy at all times.

For example, some cultures believe that male and female children should be

segregated from each other. Although that largely isn't how things work in the UK,

especially in mainstream schools, some parents may disapprove of the way in which

their children are taught in co-ed classes.

Other sticking points can be about the way children dress, the activities that they do

in school or in external clubs, and how they should spend their time.

Just because someone thinks in a completely different way from yourself

doesn't make them automatically wrong.

Some schools, and some organisations such as Girl Guides and Scouts are directly

linked to church attendance and religious practice. Although schools that are

affiliated with a church or mosque do usually conduct religious-style assemblies and

incorporate certain religious practices within their daily schedules, they are not

allowed to discriminate against workers and pupils who do not practice that particular

(or any) religion.

2

In most cases, if you have an alternative religious practice or are non-religious, you

will usually be able to opt-out of taking part in religious assemblies. However, you

should bear in mind that although your wishes will ordinarily be respected, there may

be the odd occurrence when you may be asked to support a child in attending an

assembly or similar, and this should not be turned down lightly.

Reflective practice when working with a variety of people from many cultures and

backgrounds is extremely helpful for understanding the best way to approach certain

situations and events.

3