Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC): practice guidance 2 – role of the named person

6. The role of the named person

The named person promotes good wellbeing and forms relationships through the provision of a universal service. They are a clear point of contact for anyone concerned about the child or young person's wellbeing; whether that is the child or young person themselves, parents, family members or others working with the child or young person. All practitioners providing a service to children, young people and families, should be aware of and know how to contact the named person.

Where there is a child protection (see glossary) concern, relevant information should be shared with police or social work without delay, provided it is necessary, proportionate and lawful to do so. More information is provided in the information sharing Charter and Practice Guidance 4 Information sharing.

Once a wellbeing need has been brought to the attention of the named person, it is their responsibility to work together with the child, young person and their family, and other agencies if needed, to explore what support could be provided to address the identified wellbeing needs.

Children, young people and families should always be made aware of their rights around information sharing (please see information sharing Charter and Practice Guidance 4 Information sharing), and should know what to expect if they have agreed for information to be shared with other agencies. They should be supported to fully participate in discussing how sharing information could support the child or young person's wellbeing. Their views should be taken into account and given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity, as part of any decision making process. However, in some circumstances, this may not be appropriate. See Practice Guidance 4 – Information Sharing for guidance.

The named person may have statutory responsibilities within their designated role (e.g. as a health visitor or teacher); these statutory responsibilities may require them to share information regardless of whether the child, young person or family choose to accept their support as a named person.

There are five key GIRFEC questions that practitioners should ask themselves when considering a child or young person's wellbeing needs, whilst maintaining a focus on the rights of the child. The child or young person should fully participate in discussions when considering these questions:

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?

There may be situations where a child, young person and family no longer wish to continue to work with the individual who has been offered as their named person and will seek someone else to undertake that role. While circumstances will vary, the initial named person should work with the relevant NHS Board or local authority education provision to take reasonable steps to identify and offer another suitable individual. The child, young person and family should be supported to be fully involved in discussions and decision-making to identify an appropriate new named person.