Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, +1 more … Minister for Children and Young People
Children and Families Directorate, +1 more … Early Learning and Childcare Directorate
Children and families, Education, Equality and rights, +1 more … Health and social care
GIRFEC principles and values
GIRFEC resources
Wellbeing (SHANARRI)
Child's plan
GIRFEC planning
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.
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
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.
You can view the GIRFEC website prior to 2018 on the gov.scot archive.
We decided in 2019 that the best way to promote and embed GIRFEC further was in partnership with local delivery partners, through practical help, guidance and support, and not on a statutory basis. We are therefore refreshing GIRFEC policy with those partners and developing new guidance on:
the role of the named person or single point of contact
the role of the lead professional
the National Practice Model
consideration of wellbeing of children and young people
Development and implementation of GIRFEC is informed by regular engagement with a wide range of stakeholders from local authorities, the third sector, NHS health boards, Integration Joint Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships.
We are developing an effective and meaningful way to engage children, young people and parents as stakeholders.
Email: girfec@gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 244 4000 - Central Enquiry Unit
GIRFEC Team
Children and Families Directorate
Victoria Quay
EH6 6QQ
Twitter: @girfec