Children’s services update

May 27 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A NEW scheme to share information is helping West Lothian’s children get the help they need.

Members of West Lothian Council’s Social Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel were updated on the progress on the implementation of ‘Getting It Right for Every Child’ (GIRFEC) last week.

GIRFEC is the national programme which aims to improve the outcomes for all children and young people in West Lothian by making sure they get the right help when they need it.

And members of the Social Policy PDSP heard that the progress of GIRFEC in West Lothian has benefited from the established children’s information sharing system C-me.

Executive Councillor for Social Policy Isabel Hutton commented: “The report on the progress of GIRFEC was most welcome.

“I was delighted to hear the excellent work and effort that is taking place to improve outcomes for children and young people.

“GIRFEC will lead to change in practice by health, education and social work that improves outcomes for children and young people by ensuring the child is kept at the centre of assessment and need as soon as the child is born.

“The continued delivery of multi-agency training will ensure that changes in systems, practice and culture are put into effect.”