ABSTRACT
Seeking to secure the wellbeing of children and families is, at its heart, a human endeavour. As such, the authors point to the importance of compassion and care in practice. This chapter picks up various strands of compassionate professionalism; through instilling a compassionate ethos in the children’s workforce, how compassion in practice is integral to efficiency and performance, and how compassionate spaces can be created and sustained, ultimately leading to better performance. The chapter begins by exploring what compassion means today and how it can help professionals make a positive difference in the lives of children, young people, and families. Using case studies, the chapter explores how compassion is understood, modelled, and enacted by Early Years and Childhood Studies undergraduate students. The chapter serves as a reminder that human interactions and compassionate professionalism are central to any services which support children and families.
