Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC): policy statement

1. Background

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) (see glossary) is the Scottish Government’s commitment to provide all children, young people and their families (for definition of child or young person and family see glossary) with the right support at the right time - so that every child and young person in Scotland can reach their full potential.

This policy statement provides an overview of the policy and legislative context for GIRFEC. This includes opportunities brought about by the commitment to the proposed incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (see glossary) and First and Second Optional Protocols into Scots law, to the maximum extent possible; publication of The Promise and the Plan 21-24 and a continued commitment to eradicate child poverty.

The document gives an outline of the core components of the policy, including refreshed values and principles, and ambitions for how we can do more in practice.

It seeks to reassure leaders, managers and practitioners about how GIRFEC should be delivered within the current legislative and policy framework of rights, information sharing, and delivery of supports and services to children, young people and their families.

The Policy Statement is part of a series of Guidance documents and should be read alongside the following:

• Practice Guidance 1: Using the National Practice Model
  • Improving outcomes using the Wellbeing Indicators (SHANARRI)
  • Gathering information with the My World Triangle
  • Analysing information with the Resilience Matrix
• Practice Guidance 2: The role of the named person
• Practice Guidance 3: The role of the lead professional
• Practice Guidance 4: Information sharing
• Assessment of Wellbeing – Part 18 (section 96) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.