GIRFEC: A Multi-Agency Approach to Practice
This multi-disciplinary short course will help equip you to deliver effective children’s services in a unified approach, allowing you to respond in ways which will strengthen children, young people and their families’ capacity to care.
Key facts
Overview
Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) is the Scottish Government’s approach to provide support to all children, young people, and families when they need it. Early support is intended to help maximise outcome opportunities for children to succeed and achieve their potential.
The key focus of the module is child wellbeing and application of the National Practice Model which supports practice to improve wellbeing for a child or young person. Following an ecological framework, the National Practice Model places the child or young person in the centre of their world.
This short course will help you:
- Understand underpinning theory where students will develop an awareness of the experiences of the child including, their development within their world, consisting of family or carers in contemporary society, within cultures and lived experiences.
- Understand how GIRFEC should be delivered within the current legislative and policy framework of rights, information sharing, and delivery of supports and services to children, young people and their families.
- Be equipped to deliver effective children’s services in a unified approach, working alongside families and agency partners, allowing you to respond in ways which will strengthen children, young people and their families’ capacity to care.
- Be equipped you to identify, conceptualise and define the skills and attributes required of key professional roles and work within the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.
This module will appeal to those who work directly with children, young people, and families; as well, as leaders and managers of children and family services.
This module is offered by the multi-award winning Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, led by a group of world-leading academics, with strong and established research records, real nursing experience and a wealth of world-class publications who will support you both personally and academically.
Flexible learning
This short course forms part of the MSc Early Years Practice Health Visiting. You can study other stand-alone continuing professional development (CPD) short courses from this degree:
- Contemporary Leadership in Early Years Practice
- The Principles and Practice of Child and Family Health and Wellbeing
If you’re interested in studying more than one module from this course, please email our Admissions team at postgraduate.admissions@stir.ac.uk to discuss your course of study.
Entrance requirements
You are required to have the ability to study at degree level (minimum academic level SCQF Level 9).
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Objectives
- Demonstrate application of a critical knowledge and understanding of the constructs of children and young people’s wellbeing and childhood development.
- Display mastery of the 'Getting it Right for Every Child' (GIRFEC) approach to children's services including associated practice policy and legislation
- Interpret, critically analyse and prioritise children and young people’s needs and risks, taking responsibility in identifying appropriate measures to manage identified risks and unmet needs.
- Conceptualise, appraise, apply and evaluate the skills and attributes required of key professional roles.
Delivery and assessment
This module utilises a blended approach to teaching and learning to stimulate critical discussion and enhance learning, generate deeper understandings and foster the development of graduate attributes. The learning and teaching activities are varied and are aligned to the intended learning outcomes. They include: live and pre-recorded lectures, webinars, videos, podcasts; and other activities such as guided reading, quizzes, blogs and discussion boards.
Assessment is in two parts. Part one is an annotated bibliography of 2,000 words and Part two is a recorded oral presentation.
Module coordinator
Dr Kathleen Clarke
Employability
This module supports the development of a wide range of skills including critical thinking and writing, advanced personal organisation, planning and evaluation skills, and advanced communication skills.
What next?
Contact us
If you have any questions about entry requirements for our continuing professional development and short courses, contact our Admissions team.
For all other questions, please use our enquiry form.