Renfrewshire Council

Values and principles of GIRFEC

The GIRFEC values and principles build from the Children's Charter and reflect legislation, standards, procedures and professional expertise:

Promoting the wellbeing of individual children and young people
This is based on understanding how children and young people develop in their families and communities, and addressing their needs at the earliest possible time.

Keeping children and young people safe
Emotional and physical safety is fundamental and is wider than child protection

Putting the child at the centre
Children and young people should have their views listened to and they should be involved in decisions that affect them

Taking a whole child approach
Recognising that what is going on in one part of a child or young person's life can affect many other areas of his or her life

Building on strengths and promoting resilience
Using a child or young person's existing networks and support where possible

Promoting opportunities and valuing diversity
Children and young people should feel valued in all circumstances and practitioners should create opportunities to celebrate diversity

Providing additional help that is appropriate, proportionate and timely
Providing help as early as possible and considering short and long-term needs

Supporting informed choice
Supporting children, young people and families in understanding what help is possible and what their choices may be

Working in partnership with families
Supporting, wherever possible, those who know the child or young person well, know what they need, what works well for them and what might be less helpful

Respecting confidentiality and sharing information
Sharing information that is relevant and proportionate while safeguarding children and young people's right to confidentiality

Promoting the same values across all working relationships
Recognising respect, patience, honesty, reliability, resilience and integrity are qualities valued by children, young people, their families and colleagues

Making the most of bringing together each worker's expertise
Respecting the contribution of others and co-operating with them, recognising that sharing responsibility does not mean acting beyond a worker's competence or responsibilities

Co-ordinating help
Recognising that children, young people and their families need practitioners to work together, when appropriate, to provide the best possible help

Building a competent workforce to promote children and young people's wellbeing
Committed to continuing individual learning and development and improvement of inter-professional practice.