Cholmondeley’s new vision of Value our Children provides us with the anchor from which we have developed our Philosophy of Care. 

A Philosophy of Care is essential to our practice as it guides us in all the work and interactions we have with children and their families. It ensures that our values and beliefs are reflected and that every action and intervention is in the best interest of the child.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) is a human rights treaty based on the rights of children and in 1993 New Zealand demonstrated a commitment to this when it became a signatory. Cholmondeley’s newly developed Philosophy of Care is informed by this treaty and is grounded in a child rights perspective. The value of adopting a child rights-based approach is evidenced in research and is the most effective way to bring about positive and lasting change for children, their families and communities. Our philosophy clearly states what we at Cholmondeley believe about children and their rights to be valued, consulted and enabled to build resiliency. 

This approach values what children have to offer as children, ensures that they are listened to and respected, whilst the adults take responsibility for providing a safe, stimulating environment with clear boundaries and expectations where relationship building is key.   

Edwina Poynton

Care Services Manager

Cholmondeley Philosophy of Care

• Children have the right to be unconditionally respected by adults
• Children have the right to feel safe and be free of violence
• Children have the right to have their physical, emotional, social, intellectual, cultural and spiritual needs met
• Children have the right to experience positive and secure attachments
• Children have the right to have fun
• Children have the right to experience opportunities for success
• Children have the right to expect adults to notice their strengths and to support them to further develop these
• Children thrive in relationships where they are valued
• Children thrive in warm, stimulating, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environments, and are capable of making choices and decisions about things that affect them
• The child knows what works for him or her self and has the right to expect the adults to acknowledge and build on this
• Children have the right to make mistakes without fear
• Children have the right to have their voices listened to
• Children have the right to ask for help and for advocacy
• Children have a right to expect their whole community and society to take responsibility for their safety and wellbeing