Wellbeing is at the heart of the GIRFEC approach. It is recognised that a child or young person’s wellbeing is influenced by everything around them and the different experiences and needs they have at different times in their lives.

GIRFEC uses eight words that describe what it looks like when things are going well.

Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included.

Every child or young person should be safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. Wellbeing is described by these eight indicators to help make sure everyone (children, parents and the people who work with them, such as teachers and health visitors) has a common understanding of what wellbeing means.

It is everyone’s responsibility to work together to promote, support and safeguard the wellbeing of all children and young people.

The GIRFEC approach ensures every child or young person will have a designated Named Person available to them. Their job is to be a first point of contact for you, your child or anyone who has a concern about your child or young person’s wellbeing.

GIRFEC ensures children and young people get consistent and effective support for their wellbeing wherever they live or learn. If you want to talk to someone about your child’s wellbeing or need information or advice you should contact your child’s Named Person, who is your child’s:

• Health Visitor - children aged 5 and under who do not yet attend primary school
• Head Teacher or Depute Head Teacher - primary school age children
• Principal Teacher of Pastoral Support - secondary school age children and young people.

Your child or young person’s Named Person is able to provide information, support or advice and can help you to access or can signpost you to appropriate services.

A Team Around the Child, also known as a TAC, is used to get everyone together who is or could be working with your family. With your agreement they will work together to identify the needs and strengths of your family. It will be used to find out what works well in your family, any extra support your family may need and the best way to help you with this.

If you live in East Dunbartonshire a professional who is already working with you can help, all you need to do is ask. You could ask your health visitor, someone working at your children’s school, a youth worker or a housing officer.

Parent Zone getting it Right for Every Child

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) - Scottish Government

Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) Information Sharing Charter – Parents and Carers – 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Glossary - Getting it right for every child – Overall glossary – 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

National guidance for child protection in Scotland 2021

Parentzone Scotland | Parent Zone (education.gov.scot) 

Online Learning (heiapply.com) (access code TARTAN)