Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) supports families by making sure children and young people can receive the right help, at the right time, from the right people. The aim is to help them to grow up feeling loved, safe and respected so that they can realise their full potential.

Most children and young people get all the help and support they need from their parent(s), wider family and community but sometimes, perhaps unexpectedly, they may need a bit of extra help.

GIRFEC is a way for families to work in partnership with people who can support them, such as teachers, doctors and nurses. 

Actions

We:

• base GIRFEC principles and values on children's rights
• produce national GIRFEC resources for everyone interested in the policy and its delivery
• promote eight factors that matter when talking about a child or young person’s wellbeing (SHANARRI)
• are improving the support for families by providing a clear point of contact - often referred to as a named person - for each child or young person
• will improve how support is planned, delivered and co-ordinated for children who require a range of extra support by making a child’s plan available
• provide resources for practitioners working with children, young people and parents/carers to think about what GIRFEC planning and/or support could help them
• will provide guidance on information sharing, including what can be shared with or by a practitioner acting as a named person or in connection with a child’s plan

Background

The GIRFEC approach is based on values and principles which support children’s and parents' rights. It was developed by people who work with children and young people and reflects feedback from families.

It has been used and tested across Scotland since 2006. It includes all children and young people because it is impossible to predict when or if they might need help.

GIRFEC is central to all government policies which support children, young people and their families and is delivered through services and people who work with families.

Bills and legislation

The aim of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 is to make Scotland the best place to grow up by putting children and young people at the heart of planning and delivery of services and ensuring their rights are respected across the public sector.

The Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill aims to bring a clear and consistent way to share information for the named person service and child’s plan. Its objective is to give families, practitioners and the wider public greater confidence that information sharing must comply with other laws including human rights, data protection and confidentiality.

Advisory groups

• GIRFEC Practice Development Panel
• GIRFEC National Implementation Support Group

 

Contact

Email: girfec@gov.scot

Telephone: 0300 244 4000 - Central Enquiry Unit

Post:
GIRFEC Team
Scottish Government
Children and Families Directorate
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

Twitter: @girfec