Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) Practice Guidance 1 - Using the National Practice Model

11. Developing a plan for support

Summarising needs against the wellbeing indicators (SHANARRI): When the child or young person’s needs are clear they can be summarised using the wellbeing indicators to develop a plan for action. Wellbeing indicators can be used to identify priorities, describe what needs to change to improve the child or young person’s wellbeing and identify the expected outcomes.

Planning, taking action and reviewing: In the GIRFEC approach, any child or young person who requires additional support should have a plan to address their needs and improve their wellbeing. This could be a single-agency plan or a multi-agency plan co-ordinated by a lead professional (see glossary).

GIRFEC promotes an integrated and co-ordinated approach to multi-agency planning. It looks to practitioners to work in accordance with legislation and guidance but also expects agencies to think beyond their immediate remit, drawing on the skills and knowledge of others as necessary and thinking in a broad, holistic way. For example, a care plan for a child or young person looked after by the local authority, a health care plan, or an individualised education plan should be incorporated within the child’s plan where the child or young person’s circumstances require this.

Every plan, whether it is single- or multi-agency, should include and record:

• the views of the child or young person and their family;
• reasons for the plan;
• partners to the plan;
• a summary of the child or young person’s needs;
• what is to be done to improve a child or young person’s wellbeing;
• details of action to be taken;
• resources to be provided;
• timescales for action and for change;
• contingency plans;
• arrangements for reviewing the plan;
• lead professional arrangements where they are appropriate; and
• details of any compulsory measures if required.

Reviewing a child or young person’s progress should be an essential part of a child’s plan. It will be useful to revisit the Resilience Matrix as part of the review, while also revisiting the five key GIRFEC questions in considering a child or young person’s wellbeing needs. Ensuring the full use of the National Practice Model leads to the action required to improve wellbeing for the child or young person and their family:

• What is getting in the way of this child or young person’s wellbeing?
• Do I have all the information I need to help this child or young person?
• What can I do now that is needed and appropriate to help this child or young person?
• What can my agency or organisation do now to help this child or young person?
• What additional help, if any, may be needed from others?