Specialist Support

A small minority of young people may require specialist, multi-agency input. This may include work with or access to:

• Enhanced educational provision (on and/or off-site);
• Social Work (including Joint Child Protection services);
• Specialist Health Services;
• Police Scotland;
• Children's Reporter;
• Third Sector Services such as Barnardo's, Action for Children, Aberlour etc.

The GIRFEC principles ensure this level of support is coordinated by either the Named Person (the young person's PT Guidance) or an appointed Lead Professional. The Lead Professional is the professional whose agency has the greatest responsibility to the child. They may or may not also be the Named Person. Who will take on the role is agreed at the relevant meeting, for example at a multi-agency action planning meeting.

The Lead Professional would typically be the Social Worker for Care Experienced young people and anyone on the Child Protection Register.