GIRFEC Story: My Rights to Wellbeing

Helping children develop their emotional language, understand themselves and their social relationships, take ownership of their wellbeing.
Lou Kinnear is the Promoting Positive Relationships Co-Ordinator for Armed Forces Families within the Education Psychology and Learning Team at Highland Council. Here, Lou shares an exciting initiative the team have been working on called the “My Rights to Wellbeing” (MRTW) programme.
The MRTW programme was born out of a need identified during a primary school inspection. The school was tasked with raising awareness and understanding of the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators among pupils. As the programme evolved, it became clear that students needed a deeper understanding of how SHANARRI interlinks with the United National Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the My World Triangle, which would provide a richer learning experience.

The key aims of the Programme is to help children develop their emotional language, understand themselves and their social relationships, take ownership of their wellbeing, and understand their rights.
MRTW is designed to support school staff in delivering focused learning through various flexible sections, adaptable to meet the needs of pupils from early years to secondary levels. The programme isn’t meant to be standalone; instead, it acts as an incentive for further class discussions and activities.
MRTW was created to enhance knowledge and understanding of children’s rights under the UNCRC while focusing on wellbeing using GIRFEC tools. The programme encourages children to develop emotional language, understand their social relationships, and take ownership of their My World Triangle and Wellbeing Wheel. Interactive workshops, cooperative group work, and games help children connect the UNCRC Articles with wellbeing concepts, promoting deeper understanding and engagement.
Evaluations of the initial pilot have shown that MRTW effectively boosts confidence and understanding of wellbeing indicators and children’s rights among pupils. The activities foster a deeper grasp of these concepts, evidenced by increased dialogue among students and staff. Staff have reported significant improvements in their understanding of GIRFEC and its integration with children’s rights. Moreover, some have mentioned learning more about their pupils through this programme than in previous terms, highlighting the programme’s impact on teacher-student relationships.
Understanding and feeling empowered about their rights is crucial for pupils. The MRTW programme helps children develop self-awareness, understand their needs, and realize how their rights fit into their daily lives. This understanding boosts their confidence in expressing themselves using the common language of wellbeing and rights, as outlined by GIRFEC and the UNCRC.
Staff have noted positive changes in pupils’ language and their ability to connect learning to real-life situations in school, home, and their communities. Pupils have become more reflective about their health and wellbeing and understand how GIRFEC tools relate to their rights. They have also reported increased confidence in participating and sharing their thoughts safely among peers.
GIRFEC remains a cornerstone for those working with children in Scotland. Ensuring that both staff and children understand the tools within the National Practice Model and the UNCRC is vital. With the UNCRC now part of Scots Law, it’s our duty to ensure children can claim their rights from those responsible for their care. Our goal is to see MRTW used more widely across education services and beyond Highland. We’re working on creating an online version of the training to reach a broader audience, ensuring that more children can meaningfully participate in the decision-making processes that affect them.
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