Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) - Statutory Guidance - Assessment of Wellbeing 2022 – Part 18 (section 96) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014

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.

The statutory guidance on wellbeing is intended for practitioners (see glossary) and service leads in services that work with children, young people and their families and is issued under section 96 (3) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act).

The guidance clarifies how the eight wellbeing indicators (SHANARRI) (see glossary) are used in assessing the wellbeing (see glossary) of children and young people and will explain what wellbeing is in the context of the Act.

The wellbeing indicators (SHANARRI) are also informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (see glossary). This is illustrated in UNCRC: The foundation of Getting it right for every child. The wellbeing indicators overlap, and connect areas that are fundamental to understanding what children and young people need in order to grow, develop and thrive. Where a child’s rights have been respected, protected and fulfilled, their wellbeing should improve. Embedding the UNCRC in policy and practice is a key way to help advance children’s wellbeing.