GIRFEC Insights report launches
- Area of Work: Children and Young People
- Type: News Item
- Published: 2nd April 2025
Following a series of regional events, the report provides a snapshot of how GIRFEC is currently implemented.
In September 2024, the ALLIANCE hosted a series of regional events across Scotland attended by professionals and practitioners from the children and young people sector with a role in implementing GIRFEC. The Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) Regional Gathering Insights events aimed to explore next steps for improving how GIRFEC is delivered and strengthen partnerships.
The GIRFEC Insights report is a collection of feedback gathered from the events, offering a snapshot of trends across Scotland in how GIRFEC is implemented, highlighting examples of good practice and identifying challenges.
Based on discussions held throughout the sessions, the report also outlines ideas for shaping the future of GIRFEC, including:
1. Better joined-up working
Good partnership working was identified as crucial. When looking to the future, participants called for improved networks across sectors to demonstrate the impact of working together. Joined-up working at a national level to create consistent approaches was also called for.
2. Supporting our workforce
Strengthening the workforce by investing in continuous learning and development opportunities was highlighted. Again, the call for more consistent approaches at a national level was made through training delivered by national trainers.
3. Improving support and systems
Specific strategies or approaches that could be adopted at a system level were raised. These included a no wrong door approach for families but also reflected the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how this continues to affect children and young people.
4. Developing Resources
In a landscape of tightening financial resources and investment, developing resources that can support people to work more innovatively whilst creating more consistent approaches was impactful. A national Childs Plan and a collective resource bank hosting resources, case studies and training could offer support.
5. Raising Awareness
GIRFEC is a well established approach, but we must continue to actively promote it to professionals, children and their families. A refreshed marketing campaign and a strategic commitment from Scottish Government to promote GIRFEC was called for. Additionally, guidance and resources explaining the different policies across the children and young people landscape, including how they are aligned would be helpful to practitioners.
Read the GIRFEC Insights report below.
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