Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) is a national approach. It focuses on parents, carers, and agencies working together. They take early action to support children and young people when difficulties arise.

GIRFEC aims to support and promote wellbeing. It makes sure children and young people get the right support when they need it.

Background

The GIRFEC approach came from For Scotland's Children. This was a review of children's services. It looked at how services supported families and children. It also looked at how they addressed inequalities.

Policy and law

GIRFEC is both a policy and a legislative framework.

It began as a national policy approach in Scotland. The goal was to improve children's wellbeing. Later, key elements became law through the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

This means GIRFEC informs both policy and law. It shapes legislation that affects children and their families.

GIRFEC values and principles

• Child-centred and rights-based. The approach puts the child and their family at the heart of every decision. It aims to uphold children's rights.
• Promoting wellbeing. Wellbeing covers all areas of life. This includes family, community, and society. We measure it using 8 wellbeing indicators.
• Strengths-based and inclusive. GIRFEC focuses on a child's existing strengths and resources. It works in an inclusive, rights-respecting way.
• Partnership and participation. Children and young people are active participants. They take part in decisions that affect them. Services work with families.
• Early intervention and support. Services work together to provide help earlier. They work more effectively before problems become serious.
• Valuing diversity and tackling inequality. All children and young people should feel valued. They should be treated fairly. We work to address inequalities.

Named person

GIRFEC provides a clear contact for parents, carers, children, and young people. This contact is the named person. You can ask them for advice or support and they can help to coordinate support if needed.

All children up to age 18 are entitled to a named person. Parents or children don't have to contact their named person. You don't have to accept any support offered.

In most situations, the named person is

• from birth, the health visitor
• at primary, secondary or special school, the head teacher.

Wellbeing indicators

GIRFEC describes wellbeing using 8 interconnected indicators. These are commonly known as SHANARRI

• Safe
• Healthy
• Achieving
• Nurtured
• Active
• Respected
• Responsible
• Included

We use the wellbeing indicators to understand children and young people's strengths and needs. They help identify where support may be needed to improve wellbeing.