Page 9 - Getting it Right for Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire

Assessing the Needs of Children and Young People Staff across North Ayrshire have become increasingly familiar and adept at utilising the GIRFEC Practice Model (Appendix 1) over recent years. This continues to be the core framework to be utilised in assessing and responding to concerns about children and young people. The critical importance of robust assessment and analysis has been widely recognised, and in order to provide further support to practitioners engaged in this activity, more work has been carried out to build upon the GIRFEC Practice Model. In December 2012, the Scottish Government published the National Risk Framework to Support the Assessment of Children and Young People. The National Risk Framework (NRF) is based on the GIRFEC Practice Model and as such it encompasses the Wellbeing Wheel, the My World Triangle and the Resilience Matrix. It also includes sets of risk indicators to guide staff in the collection and analysis of information, some supporting tools, and it facilitates a structured approach to risk assessment, analysis and planning. North Ayrshire NRF practice guidance and the National Risk Framework can be found by clicking on the documents below:- 2 3 Local Practice Guidance National Framework The NRF is the framework to be utilised by all staff in North Ayrshire when applying the GIRFEC Practice Model in assessing the risks and needs of children. Levels of familiarity and experience with both the GIRFEC Practice Model and the NRF and associated tools will vary considerably across staff groups. This should not cause anxiety. Every staff member involved with a family will be able to contribute to an assessment. Staff who may undertake the particular roles of a “Named Person” and/or a “Lead Professional” are expected to access the available training and support necessary to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills to lead in undertaking an assessment using the NRF. 2 http://www.childprotectionnorthayrshire.info/download/1272 3 http://www.girfecna.co.uk/admin/uploads/downloads/National%20Risk%20Assessment%20Framework%202012.pdf Getting It Right For Vulnerable Children and Young People in North Ayrshire Live V1.2 April 2014 Page No:9