1. Paramount Welfare of the Child

Child-Centered Approach: The child’s welfare is the paramount consideration in every aspect of our work. All actions and decisions will be made with the child’s best interests at the forefront, tailored to their individual needs, stage of development, and maturity.
Holistic Understanding: The GALLORE GAL's will develop a comprehensive understanding of the child’s needs, encompassing physical, emotional, educational, and developmental aspects. This understanding will guide the recommendations for how these needs can best be met.

2. Ascertaining and Representing the Child’s Wishes and Feelings

Direct Engagement: GALLORE GAL's will engage directly with the child in a manner appropriate to their age, understanding, and situation, ensuring that the child’s voice is heard and respected.
Clear Communication: The child will be informed about court proceedings and processes in a clear and understandable way. The GALLORE GAL's will ensure the child understands the scope of confidentiality in their discussions.
Accurate Representation: The child’s wishes and feelings will be accurately captured and represented in reports, supported by any letters, drawings, or other submissions the child wishes to provide to the court.

3. Professional Independence and Impartiality

Impartial Advocacy: GALLORE GAL's will act with complete professional independence from all parties in the case, ensuring impartial representation of the child’s best interests.
Transparent Reporting: When the child’s expressed wishes differ from the GALLORE GAL's professional opinion, this will be transparently reported, and a clear rationale will be provided, explaining why the GALLORE GAL's recommendations differ.
Independent Assessment: GALLORE GAL's will independently assess the positions of all parties and their proposals, ensuring a fair and balanced appraisal of all perspectives in relation to the child’s welfare.

4. Collaborative and Respectful Practice

Engagement with Stakeholders: GALLORE GAL's will work collaboratively with all individuals in the child’s life, including family members and professionals, to develop a thorough understanding of the child’s context and support informed decision-making.
Respectful Dialogue: GALLORE GAL's will ensure respectful, non-discriminatory engagement with all parties, recognizing the unique perspectives, needs, and challenges of family members and professionals involved in the case.
Court and Meeting Participation: GALLORE GAL's will actively participate in all court proceedings and relevant meetings outside of court, ensuring the child’s care plan is shaped by the child’s voice and best interests.

5. Family, Community, and Cultural Considerations

Family Context: The GALLORE GAL's will view the child in the context of their family system, promoting the role of parents and considering their individual needs, challenges, and experiences.
Cultural Sensitivity: GALLORE GAL's will identify and respect the child’s cultural background and community connections, making recommendations that preserve and support the child’s cultural and familial identity.
Inclusive Planning: The GALLORE GAL's will ensure that cultural, linguistic, and community-related factors are integral to care planning, ensuring the child’s holistic well-being.

6. Comprehensive and Evidence-Based Reporting

Thorough Investigation: GALLORE GAL's will conduct comprehensive, unbiased enquiries, gathering evidence through direct contact with the child and all relevant parties. These findings will form the basis of the recommendations provided to the court.
Balanced Judgement: Reports submitted to the court will be grounded in professional objectivity, presenting clear evidence, a balanced analysis of all options, and recommendations aligned with the child’s best interests.
Consideration of Delay: GALLORE GAL's will actively consider and address the impact of delay on the child’s well-being throughout the case, recommending timely solutions to minimize unnecessary stress or harm.

7. Ethical and Professional Conduct

High Ethical Standards: GALLORE GAL's are required to maintain the highest ethical standards in all interactions with children, families, professionals, and the court. They will demonstrate integrity, transparency, and professionalism at all times.
Expert Knowledge: GALLORE GAL's will possess extensive expertise in child welfare and protection, with a minimum of 10 years of experience working with vulnerable children and families.
Continuous Professional Development: GALLORE GAL's will engage in ongoing professional development, clinical supervision, and reflective practice to ensure that they remain at the forefront of best practices in child advocacy.

8. Anti-Discriminatory Practice

Equality and Inclusion: GALLORE GAL's will actively challenge discrimination in any form, ensuring that their enquiries and recommendations are free from bias and sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of children and families, including considerations of race, gender, religion, disability, and family status.
Culturally Competent Practice: GALLORE GAL's will seek expert consultation where necessary to complement their knowledge in areas related to the child’s cultural, linguistic, or community needs.

9. Timely and Flexible Enquiries

Planned Enquiries: GALLORE GAL's will approach their enquiries in a planned, flexible, and efficient manner, avoiding unnecessary delays. Initial and updated plans will be recorded throughout the enquiry to ensure structured and goal-oriented processes.
Focus on Outcomes: GALLORE GAL's will prioritize enquiries that lead to positive outcomes for the child, maintaining a focus on both the immediate and long-term well-being of the child.

10. Reporting and Court Participation

Comprehensive Court Reports: GALLORE GAL's will compile detailed, well-reasoned reports that systematically analyze all evidence, present all options available to the court, and provide clear, actionable recommendations.
Court Presence: GALLORE GAL's will attend all court hearings unless excused by the court, ensuring that they are present to advocate for the child’s best interests and address any urgent matters affecting the child’s welfare.
Closing the Case: At the conclusion of the case, GALLORE GAL's will provide the child with an age-appropriate explanation of the outcome. GALLORE GAL's will seek clarification from the court regarding future involvement in cases that require ongoing review.

11. Quality Assurance and Accountability

Continuous Improvement: GALLORE GAL's will be subject to rigorous quality assurance processes, including regular case audits, supervision, and training, to ensure the highest standard of service.
Accountability to the Court: GALLORE GAL's will be fully accountable for their assessments, recommendations, and actions, ensuring that they meet the legal and professional obligations of their role.
Adherence to Best Practices: GALLORE GAL's will stay informed about the latest research and developments in child protection and welfare, applying these insights to enhance their practice.