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Summary report re. GIRFEC implementation and the work of Vol. Sector Lead (7th June – 30th July 2012)____________________________________________________________________
Children’s Services Management Groups (CSMGs)
One of the aims of the CSMG reps is to develop stronger local links with other vol orgs in their areas. Re. the website, extensive information sits on it, re GIRFEC and the Children’s Services Management Groups, which encourages vol orgs to make links with their CSMG reps. but, having looked at website ‘click-throughs’ it will also be useful to develop other ways of promoting this work. Marilyn is exploring what other avenues we can use to promote engagement with GIRFEC and implementation, in terms of encouraging our sector to use the GIRFEC paperwork, attach to a CSMG group etc. The data and information available via the MILO project will offer a much clearer picture of what is out there in each CSMG. Latest discussions on MILO suggest that this work is approaching completion during the summer.
Milind, Kate and Ian met with Marilyn to look at areas where we can work further together. GIRFEC is offered as a standing item on all Vol Sector Forum agendas.
Marilyn has met with new Senior Education Manager (Community Services) David Bruce who, with Lynne Porteous, is keen to promote partnership working with vol orgs and who hopes to attend a future Network event (October?).
City Wide Group for special needs and disability
There has been ongoing discussion on the make-up and remit of the city wide group for additional support needs and disability. (See Section 2 of Appendix A for diagram which reflects the current position and the cluster group areas). Current membership is as follows:
Fiona Hird from Fabb [email protected] and Sophie Pilgrim from Kindred [email protected] are the current voluntary sector reps on this group with partners:Alex Baxter [email protected] Kiely [email protected] Littlefair [email protected] Chalmers [email protected] Brodie [email protected] Manders [email protected] Muir [email protected] Cumming [email protected] McGill [email protected] Gray [email protected] Vallely [email protected] Grant [email protected] Packham [email protected] Wilson [email protected] Hill [email protected]
2) GIRFEC Awareness raising
Children’s Services Management Group Reps have been supporting and hosting Voluntary Sector led local training events to assist in broadening awareness of GIRFEC the development of the Teams around the Cluster. In summary -
Edinburgh North (Forth) Following two successful training events held in the local community centre a third event is planned, (26th Sept and 3rd October) led by Marilyn and Anna (Stepping Stones practitioner), which will look at practical next steps in working better together
Edinburgh North (Leith): Sikh Sanjog in Edinburgh East (19th June 10.00 – 12.00) hosted an event in their community café, led by Marilyn and with attendance from a group of practitioners and managers across four voluntary sector agencies.
Edinburgh West: The event planned for Edinburgh West (21st June) which Homestart was to have hosted had to be cancelled because of insufficient take up of places.
Edinburgh East: The Venchie has agreed to host an event in Edinburgh East later in the summer and Marilyn will liase with Susan Heron on this.
3) Your Voluntary Organisation and Getting it right for every child Guidance
The consultation on this Guidance document is complete, with very positive feedback from a range of partners on its contents.
This to be sent out as a separate mailing to Vol Orgs and will help us to highlight the need for us to be implementing GIRFEC across all our different organisations, large and small. (See Appendix A)
4) Parents and Participation – Workshops on the aims and language of GIRFEC
Marilyn has been leading on the development of a pilot piece of work to support parents’ engagement as key stakeholders in GIRFEC. Two areas are engaged in this pilot, one in North via Stepping Stones groups and one in South, in relation to CLD Transition work, with parents whose children are in transition from Nursery to Primary school. It is planned to have 4 workshops in all, and to evaluate the usefulness to parents and to workers of this type of training input, which is designed to support the aims of early intervention.
Marilyn Nicholl Vol Sector GIRFEC Lead, 30th July 2012
Appendix A
Your Voluntary Sector Organisation and GIRFEC –
Implementing Getting it right in your workplace
Content
1)
2) Appendices to this brief paper provide a potential check list so you can ensure that your organisation embodies GIRFEC principles, considers the National Practice Model and is fully aware of your local Children Services Management Group (CSMG) and Team around the Cluster areas.
3) Web Links to further materials are included for easy access to the additional knowledge you may require. Links include downloadable materials to assist in your organisation’s planning.
1) Brief Overview of Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) and why it’s so relevant to your work
GIRFEC is about developing an approach which has become the foundation for all services which support children, young people and their families. Implemented nationally as well as within all local authorities, it is about Culture change, Systems change and Practice change and supports agencies to work better in partnership, achieving improved outcomes.Working collaboratively within our communities helps to ensure that resources are focussed where they are most needed. Across Scotland, Getting it right for every child is increasingly the foundation for all work with children and young people, including adult services where parents are involved. It builds on universal health and education services and engages us all in working more closely together.
GIRFEC in Edinburgh is a city wide, solution-focussed approach with the following stakeholders:
Children, young people and their families The City of Edinburgh Council Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration Scottish Council for Independent Schools
Getting it right for every child means developing a shared understanding of what helps, so that we can:
build solutions with and around children, young people and families enable children, young people and their families to get the help they need, when they need it ensure practitioners and agencies work together and support each other to best effect in order
to achieve better outcomes
Voluntary Sector NHS Lothian Lothian and Borders Police Scottish Government
Brief overview of Getting it right for every child in Edinburgh
Implications for Code of Ethics;
Summary Document to support partnership agencies in taking steps to develop their policies and practice in accordance with the principles of Getting it right for every child. In terms of size and range of organisations there is great diversity across Edinburgh and all will have differing levels of current GIRFEC knowledge. It is likely that all agencies work under pressures of time and the summary is designed with this in mind.
Code of Ethics: Will we need to change?
Getting it right for every child aims to build on existing best practice. It may well be that your agency’s current codes of practice already reflect child-centred Getting it right ways of working. To determine what you may need to further develop in terms of your agency’s rules and procedures of professional conduct, there are nationally set and locally implemented Getting it right guidelines. You may opt to consider adding elements to your current procedures, depending on the services and client groups your agency represents.
Shared values and principles (see Appendix A)Shared values and principles underpin the approach and agencies will want to ensure that their policy documents reflect a consideration of GIRFEC standards. Getting it right for every child builds on the Children's Charter, considers the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child and reflects legislation, standards, procedures and professional expertise. GIRFEC is not ‘just another change’ but a long term approach which brings meaning and relevance at a practice level to single-agency, multi-agency and inter-agency working. There is a common platform for working with children and young people which all practitioners and professionals will draw from, as all are working towards the same outcomes.
The Getting it right for every child practice model supports the recording of information in a consistent way that allows it to be collated and shared when needed, to provide a holistic understanding of the needs of the child or young person. Confidentiality is always an important consideration for agencies in terms of their client work. Within this framework of confidentiality, agencies will wish to look at how sharing information, in the context of informed consent from service users and/or parents or carers, can assist the provision of timely and more holistic supports, informed by dialogue and partnership involvement with other agencies.
Operational Policies and Practice – common questions
Q. How can I ensure that our work practices link with GIRFEC core components?
Getting it right for every child is founded on 10 core components (see appendix B) which can be applied in any setting and in any circumstance, with a focus on Outcomes. They are at the base of implementing Getting it right in practice and can provide a benchmark against which you will be able to determine the development of best practice in your agency.
The Getting it right approach offers a shared model of working and shared language so that agencies can when necessary work together within a common framework and wherever possible, with common paperwork. Full information is on the website but certain key elements are noted below.
Two key concepts are the role of the Named Person and that of the Lead Professional.
The Named Person is the initial point of contact in universal services and will help to coordinate support and next steps if there are concerns for a pregnant mother, child or young person. That person is:
A Lead Professional will be identified if there is a need for one person to take on a co-ordinating role where there are complex needs, where further supports may be required and where several agencies are working to support a child or young person.
11 days to school
entry: Health Visitor
School:Head teacher
Pregnancy to 10 days: Midwife
Q. So in our daily work, when and how do we do ‘Getting it right for every child’?
Shared Paperwork which supports your day to day practice:
Streamlining of paperwork means that you and the agencies you are in contact will all be using the same forms and commonly understood language. This assists good practice, partnership working, the sharing of appropriate information and is aimed at achieving the best possible supports for a child.
Examples of paperwork which your agency can opt to use is on the GIRFEC in Edinburgh website (See Section 3 below – Web links). Voluntary agencies are encouraged to use the diagnostic tools and to express any concerns about a child to the Named Person using the Well-being Concern Form.
National Practice Model:
The tools which make up the National Practice Model are included in the appendices. The Well Being Indicators (see appendix C) My World Triangle (appendix D) and Resilience Matrix (appendix E) are used to gather and structure information and to assist in its analysis.
Voluntary Sector agencies are also encouraged to utilise the Child’s Planning Form to record and to plan their on-going work and services to children and young people. Where necessary, agencies may be invited by a Named Person or Lead Professional to submit information to support an individual by completing a report towards their Assessment of Need so that appropriate solution-focussed supports can be determined.
Local Resources: Getting it right for every child resource materials are available (free of charge) in your local area. They are held at points across the city for easy access for you to pick up at the following locations:
Edinburgh North: EVOC, 1st Floor, 14 Ashley Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5PX Tel: 0131 555 9100 [email protected] Edinburgh North East: FABB Scotland, Norton Park, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh EH7 5QY Tel: 0131 475 2313 [email protected] Edinburgh West: Home-Start, 108A-110A Gorgie Road, Edinburgh EH11 2NP Margot MacKenzie [email protected] Tel 0131 347 2881 Edinburgh South West: Barnardos, 91 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh EH92HH Tel: 0131 662 4997 [email protected] Edinburgh East: The Venchie, 61 Niddrie Mains Terrace Edinburgh EH16 4NX Tel: 0131 621 7620 [email protected] Edinburgh South: Children 1st, Baird House, 10 – 12 Newtoft Street, Edinburgh, EH17 8RD Tel: 0131 468 2580 [email protected]
Q. How do I get more involved in GIRFEC with partners in my local community?
Getting it right has locally-based management structures in six Children’s Services Management Groups (CSMGs) whose aim is to further develop partnership working within these 6 local CSMG areas. For full information on who your voluntary sector representatives are and links to maps of these areas click here: http://www.evoc.org.uk/noticeboard/notices/childrens-services-in-your-area-how-to-get-involved/
Training Opportunities:
There are regular training opportunities to support Getting it right implementation across the city, aimed at ensuring that current initiatives are fully understood and that we strengthen partnership working . Training focuses on shared, solution-focussed procedures for assessment and for planning. Dates for coming training events can be found on EVOC and GIRFEC in Edinburgh websites.
2) APPENDICES
Appendix A Shared Values and Principles
Putting the child at the centre: children, young people (and whenever possible their parents/carers) should have their views listened to and they should be involved in the decision-making that affects 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 the well-being 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
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 may not be helpful
Respecting confidentiality and sharing information: seeking agreement to share information that is relevant and proportionate while safeguarding children and young people's right to confidentiality
Promoting opportunities and valuing diversity: children and young people should feel valued in all circumstances and practitioners should create opportunities to celebrate their diversity
Providing additional help that is appropriate, proportionate and timely: providing help as early as possible and considering short and long-term needs
Promoting the same values across all working relationships: recognising that respect, patience, honesty, reliability, resilience and integrity are qualities valued by children, young people, their families and also by partnership and work 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 well-being: committed to continuing individual learning and development and improvement of inter-professional practice.
Appendix BThe 10 core components of the Getting it right for every child approach
A focus on improving outcomes for children, young people and their families based on a shared understanding of well-being
A common approach to gaining consent and to sharing information where appropriate An integral role for children, young people and families in assessment, planning and
intervention A co-ordinated and unified approach to identifying concerns, assessing needs, agreeing
actions and outcomes, based on the Well-being Indicators Streamlined planning, assessment and decision-making processes that lead to the right
help at the right time Consistent high standards of co-operation, joint working and communication where more
than one agency needs to be involved, locally and across Scotland A Lead Professional to co-ordinate and monitor multi-agency activity where necessary Maximising the skilled workforce within universal services to address needs and risks at
the earliest possible time A confident and competent workforce across all services for children, young people and
their families The capacity to share demographic, assessment, and planning information electronically
within and across agency boundaries through the national eCare programme where appropriate
Appendix C The eight Well Being Indicators (SHANARRI)
This is a straightforward tool to assist observation and assessment as well as supporting dialogue with children, young people and their parents. It is available as an A3 poster, in A5 card size and is also downloadable from the website.
Safe … protected from harm and fear of harm.
Healthy … experiencing the highest standards of physical and mental health, with support to make healthy safe choices
Achieving … receiving support and guidance in learning - boosting skills, confidence and self-esteem
Nurtured … having a nurturing, caring and stimulating place to live and grow
Active … offered opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities - helping to build a fulfilling and happy future
Respected … to be given a voice and involved in the decisions that affect well-being
Responsible … taking an active role within schools and communities
Included ... receiving help to overcome social, educational, physical and economic inequalities and accepted as full members of the community
Growth/Height Chart for parents and young children: This additional resource which highlights the Well-being Indicators is viewable here: http://www.evoc.org.uk/media/2012/05/Child-Growth-Chart-2012.pdf
Appendix D - The My World Triangle This is used to help to gather a holistic view of the child’s needs in context, to assist in the structuring
and in the analysis of information. It is available as an A3 poster, in A5 card size and is also downloadable from the website.
Appendix E - The Resilience Matrix This matrix further aids the assessment and analysis of information in order to determine the most appropriate form of solution-focussed support for the circumstances. It is available in A5 card size and is also downloadable from the website.
Protective environmentAdversity
Vulnerability
Resilience
Factors in the child’s environment acting as buffers
to the negative effects of adverse experience
Characteristics of the child, the family circle and wider community which might
threaten or challenge healthy development
Characteristics that enhance normal development under
difficult conditions
Life events or circumstances posing a threat to healthy
development
Protective environmentAdversity
Vulnerability
Resilience
Factors in the child’s environment acting as buffers
to the negative effects of adverse experience
Characteristics of the child, the family circle and wider community which might
threaten or challenge healthy development
Characteristics that enhance normal development under
difficult conditions
Life events or circumstances posing a threat to healthy
development
Appendix F - Children’s Services Management Groups and Teams around the Cluster
3) Where can I access further information?
Getting it right for every child in Edinburgh materials are all downloadable and will further assist you in linking your core business with the Getting it right approach. The web pages will also help to assess your training requirements and inform you of (free) training possibilities which all partners across the Children’s Partnership can sign up for.
Getting it right for every child in Edinburgh Implementation Team
Contact us at any time at …
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/girfec
Central Implementation Team [email protected] Administrator: [email protected]
0131 469 3375
Getting it right Voluntary Sector Lead: Marilyn Nicholl [email protected] 0131 667 2526
Contact details for Voluntary Sector CSMG representatives
Edinburgh East: Susan Heron, The Venchie, Craigmillar [email protected] South: Sandy Corlett, Children 1st [email protected] South West: Danny Holligan, Barnardos [email protected] West: Margot MacKenzie, Homestart [email protected] North West (Forth): Marilyn Keilloh, Stepping Stones [email protected] North East (Leith): Steve Gowenlock, Multi Cultural Family Base [email protected] sharing the role with Trishna Singh, Sikh Sanjog [email protected]
Edinburgh City Wide Services, Additional Support Needs: More information on this city wide group will be available by contacting Fiona Hird (Fabb) [email protected] or Sophie Pilgrim (Kindred) [email protected]
EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations' Council) 1st Floor, 14 Ashley Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5PX Tel: 0131 555 9100 www.evoc.org.uk http://www.evoc.org.uk/partnership/children-and-young-people/getting-it-right/
National Website and Scottish Government GIRFEC links: Information and short video on Getting it right www.scotland.gov.uk/gettingitright Background: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright/background SG Guide to Implementation and Practice Briefings: www.scotland.gov.uk/gettingitright/Publications