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Child Life Code of Ethics

The Child Life Code of Ethics provides a comprehensive framework for Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) to guide their professional conduct and ensure the well-being and protection of children and their families in potentially stressful or traumatic situations. 

The Child Life Code of Ethics consists of two parts: The Principles and The Rules. The Principles are recommendations for professional ethical behavior that then become the cornerstone of decision-making (think guidelines). The Rules are a description of best practices (think implementation of principles).

Any violation of this code can lead to disciplinary actions, which are managed by the Child Life Certification Commission Ethics Committee. This code serves as a guide for ethical decision-making and behavior within the profession, ensuring the best possible care for children and their families.

Read the Code
The Principles

Code of Ethics Principles

The Principles embody the ethical and professional standards expected of those holding the CCLS credential.

The Principles are the guidelines of professional conduct, the same conduct that any individual would expect of any professional organization on which they rely.

Principle 1

Principle 1

CCLSs hold a primary commitment to the psychosocial care of the patient and family and uphold the mission, vision, values, and operating principles of the profession.

Principle 2

Principle 2

CCLSs have a duty to maintain objectivity, integrity, and competence while exhibiting compassion.

Principle 3

Principle 3

CCLSs have an obligation to maintain an environment that respects every variation of race, identity, ability, and community.

Principle 4

Principle 4

CCLSs respect the privacy of children and families and maintain confidentiality within the standards and requirements of employers, local governing regulations, or private practice standards.

Principle 5

Principle 5

CCLSs demonstrate the competencies of the child life profession by continuous efforts to improve professional services and practices provided in the diverse settings in which they work, and in the community at large.

Principle 6

Principle 6

CCLSs provide services within their competencies and make appropriate referrals with due regard for the professional competencies of other members of the health care team and the community within which they work.

Principle 7

Principle 7

CCLSs respect the duties, competencies and needs of their professional colleagues and maintain the utmost integrity in all interactions with the institutions or organizations that employ them or in their private practices.

Principle 8

Principle 8

CCLSs continually seek knowledge and skills that update and enhance their understanding of all relevant issues affecting the children and families they serve.

Principle 9

Principle 9

CCLSs respect the conventions of scholarly inquiry and recognize their responsibility for ethical practice in research.

Principle 10

Principle 10

CCLSs use integrity to assess and amend any personal relationships, social media exchanges, or situations that may interfere with their professional effectiveness or objectivity, or otherwise negatively impact the children and families they serve. Childlife professionals ensure the conclusion of their professional role before any personal relationship is permitted to develop with children or the members of families they have served.

Principle 11

Principle 11

CCLSs recognize that financial gain should never take precedence over the mission, vision, values, and operating principles of the profession.

Principle 12

Principle 12

CCLSs accountable for the supervision and training of others (e.g., staff, students, volunteers) assume responsibility for teaching ethical professional values and providing optimal learning experiences.

The Rules

Code of Ethics Rules

The Rules serve as a description of best-practice or CCLS standards and outline how the principles must be implemented in specific circumstances.

Competence

Competence

Rule 101: CCLSs shall keep informed of developments in the profession and participate in continuing education throughout their professional careers in order to improve professional competence in all fields in which the designee is involved. 

Confidentiality

Confidentiality

Rule 201: A CCLS shall not reveal or use, without written consent, any personally identifiable information except and to the extent that disclosure or use is reasonably necessary to: (a) Comply with legal requirements or legal process; or (b) Defend the CCLS against charges of wrongdoing; or (c) Defend the CCLS in connection with a civil dispute between the CCLS and the individual.

Rule 202: A CCLS shall maintain the same standards of confidentiality to employers and employees as to individuals.

Professionalism

Professionalism

Rule 301: A CCLS shall use the designation in compliance with the current policies of the Commission, as established and amended.

Rule 302: A CCLS shall show respect for other businesses, professionals, and related occupational groups by engaging in fair and honorable competitive practices.

Rule 303: A CCLS who has knowledge that another CCLS has committed a violation of this Code shall promptly notify the Ethics Committee. A violation would be any act that raises substantial questions as to another CCLS’ integrity, competence, or business practices. For the purposes of this Rule, knowledge means no substantial doubt.

Rule 304: A CCLS who has knowledge that raises a substantial question of legally actionable, unprofessional, fraudulent, or illegal conduct by a CCLS shall promptly inform the appropriate regulatory body if appropriate, as well as the Ethics Committee. For purposes of this Rule, knowledge means no substantial doubt.

Rule 305: In all professional activities, a CCLS shall perform services in accordance with: (a) Applicable laws, rules, and regulations of governmental and other applicable authorities; and (b) Applicable rules, regulations, and other established policies of the Commission.

Rule 306: CCLSs shall not engage in any conduct that reflects adversely on their integrity or business practices.

Rule 307: A CCLS shall always act in the best interest of individuals, serving the overarching requirement to protect the public.

Fairness and Integrity

Fairness and Integrity

Rule 401: A CCLS shall, in rendering services, disclose all material information relevant to the professional relationship, including but not limited to conflict(s) of interest(s), address, telephone number, certification status, and qualifications.

Rule 402: A CCLS shall not, during the course of rendering professional services, engage in conduct that involves dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, or knowingly make a false or misleading statement to a patient, employer, employee, professional colleague, governmental or other regulatory body or official, or any other person or entity.

Rule 403: A CCLS is prohibited from the unauthorized or misleading use of the CCLS designation. If the CCLS renewal date has passed and the CCLS has not fulfilled requirements to maintain certification, the CCLS designation may not be used until the CCLS meets all current requirements. Additionally, CCLSs are prohibited from using the CCLS designation to represent their organization as specialists in a particular business service, or from using the designation in any way to mislead individuals about their expertise or breadth of experience.

Rule 404: A CCLS shall not discriminate against others based on, but not limited to, gender, race, age, religion, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or other protected class. 

Ethics Violations

CCLSs that violate the Child Life Code of Ethics shall be subject to disciplinary action. Policies and procedures related to ethics violations can be found here.

Public Notice of Disqualifications:

Victoria C. Hartman 

File an Ethics Complaint
  • Become Certified
    • Academic Requirements
    • Eligibility Assessment
    • Pre-Internship Experiences
    • Clinical Internship
    • Certification Exam
  • Maintain Certification
    • Annual Maintenance
    • Recertification
  • Resources
    • Forms and Manuals
    • Child Life Code of Ethics
    • CCLS Digital Badge
    • PDU Pre-Approval
    • CCLS Directory
  • About CLCC
    • Governance
    • CLCC Policies
    • CCLS Connection Newsletter
    • Contact Us
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