Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) is Scotland’s national approach to supporting children and young people to grow up safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. It provides a consistent, rights-based framework for ensuring that children receive the right help, at the right time, from the right people.

In Dumfries and Galloway, GIRFEC underpins all aspects of practice within schools and early learning and childcare (ELC) settings. It requires staff to take a holistic view of each child, considering their wellbeing alongside attainment, and to use professional judgement to identify emerging needs early and respond appropriately. Central to this approach is effective collaboration with families and partner agencies, ensuring that support is coordinated and proportionate, and that children’s voices are heard and respected.

For schools, GIRFEC is not an additional initiative but the foundation of everyday practice. It shapes how staff build relationships, track and monitor wellbeing, share information, and plan interventions, including the use of Child’s Plans where required. It also reinforces the responsibility of all staff to contribute to safeguarding and child protection, recognising that early support and strong relationships are key to improving outcomes.

Through embedding GIRFEC, schools in Dumfries and Galloway create inclusive, nurturing environments where every child is supported to realise their full potential, and where wellbeing, equity and rights are at the heart of practice