We want all our children and young people to be fully supported as they grow and develop. There are 8 areas of wellbeing which they need to progress to do well now and in the future.

Children’s well-being is important at every stage of childhood. Every child needs to be healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected and responsible, and, above all, safe. These are the eight indicators of well-being (SHANARRI) which are set within the ‘four capacities’ which are at the heart of the Curriculum for excellence.

Renfrewshire’s GIRFEC policy ensures that children, young people and their families receive the help they need when they need it. As children and young people progress on their journey through life, some may have temporary difficulties, some may live with challenges and some may experience more complex issues. Sometimes they – and their families – are going to need help and support.

The Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) approach ensures that when we provide support, it is based on the level of need for each child.

For schools in Renfrewshire the GIRFEC approach is implemented via the getting it Right for Every Learner policy which gives more detail of additional support needs and help children receive from schools and other services.

For children, young people and their families, the GIRFEC approach will mean:

• They will feel confident about the help they are getting
• They understand what is happening and why
• They have been listened to carefully and their wishes have been heard and understood
• They are appropriately involved in discussions and decisions that affect them
• They can rely on appropriate help being available as soon as possible
• They will have experienced a more streamlined and co-ordinated response from   practitioners From August 2014 all children will have a ‘named person’ in line with Scottish government legislation. This person will have access to a range of supports within education services and can seek help from a further range of services and agencies easing the access to appropriate and proportionate help for children, young people and families. The named person in this establishment for your child will be the Head Teacher. The Children and Young People Act ( 2014) has introduced new duties in relation to GIRFEC which will be enacted in 2016. More information will be provided about this in due course.