20 Years of GIRFEC This year marks a major milestone — the 20th anniversary of Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC), Scotland’s approach that continues to shape how we support children, young people and their families. To celebrate two decades of progress, partnership, and positive impact, we’re delighted to share stories of Impact. Stories of Impact From now until the end of the year, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the fantastic work happening across Scotland. Each edition will: Highlight innovative practice at both local and national levels Showcase how services are working together to “get it right” for different groups of children and young people Share learning and inspiration from those leading change in their communities (Please note all stories have been anonymised and the pictures are stock images used for illustrative purposes.) Voices That Matter Alongside stories of impact, you’ll hear directly from: Children and young people, sharing what GIRFEC means to them in their own words Practitioners and leaders, reflecting on the evolving landscape of children’s services and the impact of GIRFEC in their work Getting it right for every child Celebrating 20 years of A message from the New Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise - Page 2 Getting it right through sport - Page 3 Getting it right for Jamie- Page 5 INSIDE, WE ALSO TALK ABOUT:
A message from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise - Siobhian Brown. As the Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise, I want to acknowledge and celebrate the 20 anniversary of one of Scotland’s most successful policies – Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC). To commemorate this important milestone, the Scottish Government has been working with key partners and stakeholders, including representatives from the National Leadership Group for Children and Families, to develop fresh messaging about the future direction of GIRFEC. Please share this with your colleagues who work both with and alongside children and families. thThe Getting it right for every child approach is how Scotland as a nation supports every child to have the best childhood they can, and thrive - not just now, but throughout their lives. At its heart, the shared language and joined up approach of Getting it right for every child supports and safeguards the wellbeing and development of all children and young people. It is used across all our public services, developed alongside our local communities and in partnership with families to create cultures, systems and practice with children and young people at the centre. It is our ambition for Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up. Getting it right for every child is the golden thread that runs through all the work that Scotland does to support and improve the lives of children, young people, and their families. The National Practice Model, the heart of GIRFEC, is a shared approach that is grounded in the UNCRC and ensures the right support is provided at the right time for every child. Getting it right for every child draws people, organisations and communities together, enabling the constant development of services to meet the needs of all children and families, whether those needs are simple or complex. Every child in Scotland has the right to a safe, dignified and healthy development. Getting it right for every child is a strengths-based approach that seeks to address the barriers that can impede children’s wellbeing.It is the framework that underpins the commitments of the Promise and ensures that these are progressed for children with experience of care. As Scotland looks to the future, Getting it right for every child remains central to how we support children and families to thrive. Twenty years after its introduction, GIRFEC is not standing still, it is evolving. At a time of increasing complexity and change, a renewed focus on the GIRFEC National Practice Model provides an opportunity to evaluate, strengthen and future‑proof our approach. Together, we can shape a society where we all work together to understand our families’ needs, provide the right support at the right time, and strive to give every child the best possible start in life.” You will be aware the First Minister reaffirmed his commitment to GIRFEC in January this year. As Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise, I endorse this recommitment and extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for all that you do to go above and beyond for Scotland’s children, young people and families. I look forward to working with you to Get it right for the children and young people of Scotland today, tomorrow and into the future.
Getting it right through sport "As a Sports Mentor I meet many young people who lack belief and confidence. This is something we can nurture and help them understand that anything is possible. Belief is a very powerful tool which can make anything achievable.” Introduction Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is Scotland’s national approach to supporting children and young people to have the best possible start in life and to thrive into adulthood. Sport plays an important role in this by: Developing self-regulation Encouraging positive social interaction Building emotional resilience At the heart of GIRFEC is a commitment to providing the right support at the right time, ensuring every child can live a healthy and happy life. Identifying the Need In East Ayrshire, it became clear that many young people required additional support that traditional services were not always able to provide. Young people were experiencing: Increased emotional pressures Social isolation Unstable home environments Limited access to safe, confidential support A lack of positive role models also made it difficult for some young people to build meaningful relationships with teachers and support services, creating barriers to engagement and wellbeing. Introduction of the Sports Mentor Role To address these challenges, a Sports Mentor role was introduced. This role was designed to: Act as a relatable and trusted adult figure Build strong, supportive relationships Provide ongoing emotional support Encourage open, non-judgemental discussions around mental health The aim was to create a connection with young people in a way that felt natural and accessible. East Ayrshire
Approach and Engagement The Sports Mentor role focuses on relationship-based support, using sport as a gateway to engagement. Key elements of the approach include: Consistent weekly contact Building trust over time Providing routine, stability and reassurance Supporting young people who are disengaged or at risk During the COVID-19 pandemic, support continued through: Phone calls Community check-ins Online training sessions and fitness challenges These efforts ensured young people stayed connected and did not feel isolated. Sport as a Catalyst for Change Through Sports Mentor Kieran McMaster, young people were given opportunities to attend Northwest Amateur Boxing Club in Kilmarnock. Participation in the club helped to: Build confidence Improve physical health Establish routine Encourage discipline Young people who previously struggled to engage found a welcoming environment where they could: Form positive relationships Develop social connections Feel valued and included Impact on Wellbeing The programme demonstrated clear improvements across key wellbeing areas: Emotional Wellbeing Strengthened through trusted relationships Provided safe spaces for expression Social Wellbeing Improved through meaningful connections in school and the community Physical Wellbeing Enhanced through regular exercise and structured training Overall, the combination of mentoring and community sport led to: Greater resilience Healthier routines A stronger sense of belonging GIRFEC in Practice The GIRFEC framework underpinned all aspects of the programme: The Wellbeing Indicators guided individual action plans Support was tailored to each young person’s needs Long-term, relationship-based support was prioritised Key Success Factors The success of the programme can be attributed to: Child-centred support Sessions tailored to individual wellbeing needs Strong partnership working Collaboration between schools, East , Ayrshire Leisure, social work, Police Scotland and local sports organisations Trusting and sustained relationships Consistent support helping young people to thrive Conclusion This case study highlights how integrating sport into support services can have a significant and lasting impact on young people’s wellbeing.
Getting It Right Through Employability – Jamie’s Story Background and Identifying the Need Jamie is a 16-year-old young person diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition and ADHD. He experienced: Severe anxiety and panic attacks Difficulty coping in crowded environments Feelings of isolation and loneliness while living with his grandparents Jamie required support that would address not only employability but also his emotional wellbeing and confidence. Accessing Support Jamie was introduced to CVO East Ayrshire’s employability service through: A recommendation from a previous trainee A referral from his work coach at the local Job Centre This ensured he was connected to support that could respond to his individual needs. Person-Centred Planning and Placement A strengths-based assessment was carried out involving: Jamie The employability manager His kinship carer Jamie identified interests in: Visual design Print work Hands-on tasks Based on this, he began a placement at GRAFIX, a local employer. The placement was carefully designed to: Match Jamie’s interests Provide a quieter, structured working environment Include sensory supports and clear communication Involve regular multi-agency check-ins with staff and family Building Skills and Confidence During his six-month placement, Jamie was supported holistically across several areas: Employability Skills Timekeeping Teamwork Task completion Social Skills Working with colleagues Building relationships Emotional Wellbeing Managing anxiety and stress Independence Travelling to work Managing workload The team adapted their approach to suit Jamie by: Tailoring tasks to his strengths Providing flexible communication methods Creating an inclusive and supportive environment This helped Jamie feel respected, valued and confident in expressing himself.
Progression and Outcomes Following his placement: Jamie was supported to apply for jobs He successfully secured a part-time role in a local supermarket, where he has now worked for 8 months Alongside employment, he: Continues volunteering at GRAFIX Maintains a supportive environment to develop his interests Acts as a positive role model for other young people This balance has supported both his personal and professional growth Impact on Wellbeing Jamie’s journey shows clear positive outcomes: Emotional Wellbeing Reduced anxiety Increased resilience Social Wellbeing Improved communication and engagement with others Confidence and Self-Esteem Greater belief in his abilities Willingness to take on challenges Sense of Belonging Feeling included and valued within a team Jamie is now more confident, engaged and proud of his achievements. "I can’t believe I’ve been offered a paid job but there is no way I’m leaving my volunteering job. GRAFIX feels more like my family and a safe place where I finally belong.” Jamie Jamie is like a totally different boy, we cannot thank you enough for everything you have done, you have given us our boy back.” Jamie’s Family GIRFEC in Practice The GIRFEC approach played a key role in supporting Jamie: Holistic support ensured emotional wellbeing, confidence and skills development were prioritised alongside employment goals Strong partnership working between GRAFIX staff, the employability manager and Jamie’s family provided consistent support Flexible, inclusive practice ensured tasks and communication methods were adapted to meet Jamie’s needs This approach enabled Jamie to develop a strong sense of belonging and inclusion. Key Success Factors The success of Jamie’s journey can be attributed to: Strengths-based, person-centred planning Collaborative working across services and family support Flexible and inclusive environments Sustained, relationship-based support Conclusion Jamie’s story highlights the powerful impact of person-centred, relationship-based support. Through GIRFEC, Jamie has not only gained employment but has also developed a stronger sense of identity, belonging and future potential.
Scottish Government GIRFEC Resources Contact: GIRFEC@gov.scot All of our national GIRFEC policy and practice guidance can be found on our resources page. This includes: Getting it right for every child: policy statement 2022 | Easy read Getting it right for every child: Practice Guidance 1 – Using the National Practice Model | Easy read Getting it right for every child: Practice Guidance 2 – Role of the named person | Easy read Getting it right for every child: Practice Guidance 3 – role of the lead professional | Easy read Getting it right for every child: Practice Guidance 4 – information sharing | Easy read Getting it right for every child: Child’s plan practice statement | Easy read Getting it right for every child: Assessment of Wellbeing 2022 | Easy read