AuchmutyGetting It Right for Every Child
GIRFEC
Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is Scottish Government's commitment to provide all children, young people and their families with the right support at the right time. This is so that every child and young person in Scotland can reach their full potential.
This national policy framework embeds the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into practice and promotes a rights-based approach.
Children and young people should live in an equal society that enables them to flourish, to be treated with kindness, dignity and respect, and to have their rights upheld at all times.
Our ambition is to work together with children, young people, families, organisations and communities to make Scotland the best place to grow up. Through GIRFEC, everyone in Scotland can work together to build the scaffold of support children and young people need to grow up loved, safe and respected.
GIRFEC provides Scotland with a consistent framework and shared language for promoting, supporting, and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people.
How do we GIRFEC in Fife?
GIRFEC is designed around four key principles:
A child-focused approach: We’ll put the young person and their family at the centre of all decision-making.
Understanding wellbeing: We’ll look at the child’s wellbeing as a whole to provide appropriate, effective support at the right time.
A preventative approach: We’ll identify needs early so they don’t grow into problems.
A joined-up approach: We’ll work together to consider what help a child requires. We’ll involve only the services needed to minimise unnecessary interruption in family life.
You can find out more about GIRFEC on the Scottish Government website:
What GIRFEC means for children, young people and their families
What GIRFEC means for people working in children’s and adult services
GIRFEC’s background – where it came from and a timeline of how it was developed
Implementing GIRFEC – Summary for Practitioners
GIRFEC and Child Protection
GIRFEC is there to support the overall wellbeing of children & young people. It does not replace our existing Child Protection systems and processes.
Learn more on how to report if you suspect a young person has been harmed or is at risk of harm by viewing our AHS Child Protection Guidelines video.
More information on our approaches can be found in our AHS Child Protection, Safeguarding and Wellbeing policy.
Further information about Child Protection in Fife can be found by visiting Fife Child Protection information.
Support & Resources
Scottish Government GIRFEC Policy Statement
