GIRFEC and The Promise in Aberdeenshire: Staff Resources

Aberdeenshire Council is committed to ensuring that every child and young person receives the right support at the right time. Central to this commitment are the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) framework and The Promise initiative.

 Aberdeenshire Council: Home gov.uk

Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)

GIRFEC is Scotland's national approach to promoting, supporting, and safeguarding the wellbeing of children and young people. In Aberdeenshire, GIRFEC is implemented through:

• Children & Young People’s Services Plan: This plan outlines priorities such as mental health, additional support needs, disabilities, corporate parenting, whole family wellbeing, youth services, rights, and participation.
  GIRFEC Aberdeenshire

• Named Person Service: A designated professional, such as a health visitor or teacher, serves as a clear point of contact for children, young people, and their families to provide advice and support.

• Wellbeing Indicators (SHANARRI): A set of indicators—Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, and Included—used to assess and support a child's wellbeing.

• Multi-Agency Guidance: Collaborative guidance for practitioners across services to ensure cohesive support for children and families.
  GIRFEC Aberdeenshire

For comprehensive information and resources, visit the GIRFEC Aberdeenshire website.

The Promise

The Promise stems from Scotland's Independent Care Review, aiming to reshape how society cares for children and young people, ensuring they grow up loved, safe, and respected. Aberdeenshire Council and its partners are committed to implementing the changes outlined in The Promise.

Local Initiatives Supporting The Promise:

• Corporate Parenting: Aberdeenshire Council recognizes its responsibility towards looked after and care-experienced children and young people, striving to provide the necessary support and opportunities for them to thrive.
  GIRFEC Aberdeenshire

• Promise Champions: Individuals within the community dedicated to promoting and implementing the values and commitments of The Promise, ensuring that the voices of care-experienced young people are heard and acted upon.

• Children’s Services Plan Alignment: The local Children’s Services Plan incorporates the principles of The Promise, focusing on areas like mental health, family support, and youth services to create a nurturing environment for all children.
  GIRFEC Aberdeenshire

To learn more about The Promise and its national objectives, visit The Promise Scotland website.

Contact Details

For further information or assistance, please refer to the following contact details:

• Aberdeenshire Council Headquarters:

  • Address: Woodhill House, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB16 5GB

  • Phone: 03456 08 12 08 (General Enquiries)

  • Email: enquiries@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

• Area Manager Teams:

  • Banff and Buchan Area:

    • Address: Town House, 34 Low Street, Banff AB45 1AY

    • Phone: 01467 530700

    • Email: banffandbuchanamo@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

  • Buchan Area:

    • Address: Buchan House, St Peter Street, Peterhead AB42 1QF

    • Phone: 01467 537259

    • Email: buchan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

  • Formartine Area:

    • Address: Formartine House, Union Street, Ellon, AB41 9BA

    • Email: formartineareaoffice@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

  • Garioch Area:

    • Address: Unit 7 Harlaw Industrial Estate, Harlaw Way, Inverurie, AB51 4SG

    • Phone: 01467 533200

    • Email: garioch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

  • Kincardine and Mearns Area:

    • Address: Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven AB39 2DQ

    • Phone: 01467 539723

    • Email: kincardineandmearns@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

  • Marr Area:

    • Address: School Road, Alford AB33 8TY

    • Phone: 01975 520400

    • Email: marr@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

For a comprehensive list of contact details, please refer to the Aberdeenshire Council Contact Us page.

Additional Resources

• GIRFEC Portal: An online toolkit with training and professional e-learning resources on a range of GIRFEC topics.
  Scottish Government

• Child Protection Guidelines: Detailed guidelines for staff on roles and responsibilities in child protection.
  Aberdeenshire Council

• Community Council Contacts: Information on local community councils and their contact details.
  Aberdeenshire Council