Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
People at the Centre

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GIRFEC Training

Area: Health and social care integration

Everyone has a role in delivering GIRFEC. Our GIRFEC Training can support you or your team to understand how to bring the policy to life.

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) was introduced by the Scottish Government in 2006, in a response to the need for a clear, more coordinated approach to supporting children and families. At its heart, GIRFEC aims to ensure that children and young people receive the right help at the right time, enabling them to reach their full potential. The approach brings services together, promotes partnership working with families, and maintains a strong focus on children’s rights.

GIRFEC is underpinned by a shared set of values and principles that apply consistently across Scotland, supporting anyone who works with children and young people, including those across health and social care.

Since the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was incorporated in Scots law in 2024, the values and approaches within GIRFEC have become even more central. They support a shared commitment to a Scotland where children and young people’s fundamental human dignity is respected and upheld, within their families, communities, and wider society, so they have the quality of life needed for their wellbeing and development.

Whether you work directly or indirectly with children and young people, our GIRFEC training can support you to embed GIRFEC principles, values, and approaches in your practice. The training provides an overview of the GIRFEC policy context, its key components, and opportunities for reflective discussion, designed to encourage peer learning and multi-agency working.

What you need to know:

Our GIRFEC training is suitable for anyone working in, or with an interest in the children and young people sector. It is particularly relevant for professionals and volunteers across health, education, social care, family support, advocacy and more.

We deliver training to teams and organisations, as well as individuals through our quarterly open sessions. Sessions for teams or organisations can be delivered online or in person, depending on your preference.

Sessions are 2-2.5 hours long and CPD accredited. Where needed, we can tailor sessions to meet your specific learning needs and maximum impact. Our Children and Young People Team can discuss options with you.

Our training combines presentations with breakout discussions, supporting participants to reflect on how they can uphold GIRFEC in their own roles and what is within their gift to influence local implementation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of training, participants will:

  • Increase knowledge and understanding of the GIRFEC approach
  • Learn about the different assessment tools within GIRFEC
  • Understand how to promote children, young people and families’ wellbeing by using the GIRFEC approach
  • Know where to find further GIRFEC materials and support

Training costs

For teams and organisations:

  • Non ALLIANCE Members – £700
  • ALLIANCE Members – £500

For open sessions (individuals or small teams)

  • Non ALLIANCE Members* – £80pp
  • ALLIANCE Members – £50pp

*Discounts apply to Standard, Associate and Corporate ALLIANCE memberships only. Professional Associates not included.

If you are experiencing barriers to accessing the training, please contact the Children and Young People programme team.

Interested?

GIRFEC Training Paid-for Package – Client Enquiry Form

Name

GIRFEC Resources

Easy Read Guides

  1. GIRFEC for Adults
  2. GIRFEC for Children
  3. Child’s Plan
  4. Lead Professional
  5. Wellbeing Overview

Training Videos available on the ALLIANCE youtube channel

  1. GIRFEC Overview
  2. Named Person
  3. Lead Professional
  4. National Practice Model
  5. Child’s Plan
  6. GIRFEC Toolkit
  7. How it all fits together

BSL Animations

  1. GIRFEC Overview
  2. Named Person
  3. Lead Professional
  4. Child’s Plan

We are always keen to hear feedback on our resources. Please email the team at GIRFEC@alliance-scotland.org.uk if you have any feedback or would like to discuss materials in different formats.

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