New GIRFE Toolkit launched to enhance person-centred care across Scotland

The GIRFE Team Around The Person Toolkit has been launched, designed to support a more individualised approach to health and social care.

The Scottish Government has announced the launch of their GIRFE Team Around The Person Toolkit, a vital resource designed to support a more person-centred, consistent, and individualised approach to health and social care support across Scotland.

The GIRFE (Getting It Right For Everyone) ‘Team Around the Person’ toolkit has been collaboratively developed by pathfinder teams in East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Fife, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Orkney HSCPs, alongside partner teams from Moray, South Ayrshire, and Falkirk HSCPs. Crucially, this toolkit has been co-designed with individuals with lived experience and frontline staff, ensuring that it directly addresses the real challenges and needs of those accessing care and support.

Why GIRFE?

GIRFE was initiated in response to the recommendations of the Derek Feeley Report – The Independent Review of Adult Social Care, supported by the Joint Statement of Intent and Next Steps for Adult Social Care 2022-23. The approach builds on Scotland’s Framework for Health and Community Care and enhances self-directed support implementation, strengthening inter-agency collaboration across the country.

About the Toolkit

The Team Around the Person Toolkit includes principles, tools, guidance, and real-life case studies to assist professionals across health, social care, and wider public services in embedding the GIRFE approach in their local areas. The goal is to break down barriers, streamline support, and ultimately enhance the experiences of individuals receiving care.

From 2025-26, NHS Annual Delivery Plans will require Health Boards to outline how they will integrate the GIRFE Toolkit and principles into service planning and delivery, reinforcing its impact across Scotland.

Supporting the Implementation of GIRFE

To help organisations plan and implement GIRFE, the following support options are available:

1. GIRFE Drop-In Sessions

Scottish Government are hosting virtual drop-in sessions via MS Teams until the end of January 2025, providing an opportunity for colleagues to meet with the GIRFE policy team, ask questions, and gain insights into the toolkit.

Upcoming sessions:

• Tuesday 17 December 2024 – 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Thursday 19 December 2024 – 10:00 am to 11:00 am
• Wednesday 8 January 2025 – 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
• Thursday 16 January 2025 – 10:30 am to 11:30 am
• Thursday 23 January 2025 – 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

To register your interest, please email GIRFE@gov.scot.

2. 1:1 Support from the GIRFE Policy Team

You can also access tailored support from the GIRFE Policy Team to assist Health and Social Care organisations in planning and embedding GIRFE locally.

3. GIRFE Learning Network

Teams can join the GIRFE Learning Network to share learning, access resources, and explore best practices in embedding GIRFE principles.

For further inquiries or discussions on embedding GIRFE, please contact Grant Laidlaw or Katie Morris at GIRFE@gov.scot.

Together, we look forward to embedding the GIRFE approach in Health and Social Care organisations and beyond, ensuring better support for everyone in 2025 and beyond. You can read the toolkit below.

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