The ALLIANCE relaunches their new GIRFEC training resource.

They say time flies when you’re having fun…It’s been six months, since I started back at the ALLIANCE as Senior Development Officer for the Children and Young People Programme and it’s absolutely flown in. I’m coming back to the ALLIANCE after a couple of year hiatus, as I previously spent a few years in the self management team. It has confirmed for me, that I genuinely belong in the third sector and I’m excited to be part of something that can make a real difference for disabled children and those living with long term conditions. 

Working in the Children and Young People Programme, one of our key aims is to promote Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC). The vision of GIRFEC is to make Scotland the best place to grow up for all children and young people, by implementing good practice and supporting wellbeing. Through my years working in the sector, I know the importance of putting the person at the centre and building the support around that person about what matters to them. Through embedding the GIRFEC values and principles, the approach is about working in partnership with children, young people and families to promote choice, champion rights and support individual strengths.

For us to help spread knowledge and understanding of GIRFEC, the ALLIANCE has relaunched their free training which is open to all professionals, parents and carers across Scotland. Following the refresh of national guidance produced by Scottish Government at the end of last year, we have updated all our training materials including easy-read guides, BSL animations and video training modules. We want to deliver the training to organisations working in the sector and have also designed a train the trainer package to help further spread the learning.

Not only does the training allow professionals and families to share a common language around GIRFEC, but this is an opportunity to hear how GIRFEC is implemented on the ground. I am aware the approach brings its own set of challenges but by working together to hear what is happening, it’s the only way we can work towards making GIRFEC work for every child. We collate participants’ feedback which helps us to respond to Scottish Government consultations about GIRFEC, and provide updates to the Scottish Government to help inform GIRFEC guidance and practice, promoting the voice of children and young people, their parents, and carers. If our GIRFEC training or is something you wish to hear more about, please get in touch with the team by emailing GIRFEC@alliance-scotland.org.uk

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