How we work | GIRFEC North Ayrshire | Culture | Values

How we work

Culture

Culture consists of the values both within an agency and among individuals working within this agency.

It also includes operating principles, what usually happens, and ways of co-operating across agencies and services which support systems and practice.

Getting it right for every child has a set of values and principles that everyone who comes into contact with children in their work, has to take into account when working with others, whether other professionals, children and /or young people. This is to ensure that all children, young people, and families they come into contact with are treated fairly, with respect, and are listened to. It also means that professionals should be working together.

Promoting the wellbeing of individual children and young people

Workers will work towards helping children and young people to become Safe, Healthy, Active, Nurtured, Achieving, Respected, Responsible and Included.

Active

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Respected

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Responsible

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Included

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Safe

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Healthy

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Achieving

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Nurtured

Having a nurturing place to live in a family setting with additional help if needed or, where this is not possible, in suitable care setting.

Keeping children and young people safe

Every worker’s priority is to ensure that children and young people are safe.

Putting the child at the centre

Children and young people should have their views listened to and they should be involved in decisions that affect them.

Taking a whole child approach

Recognising that what is going on in one part of a child or young person’s life can affect many other areas of his or her life.

Building on strengths and promoting resilience

Using a child or young person’s existing networks and support where possible.

Promoting opportunities and valuing diversity

Children and young people should feel valued in all circumstances and practitioners should create opportunities to celebrate diversity.

Providing additional help that is appropriate, proportionate and timely

Providing help as early as possible and considering short and long-term needs.

Supporting informed choice

Supporting children, young people and families in understanding what help is possible and what their choices may be.

Working in partnership with families

Supporting, wherever possible, those who know the child or young person well, know what they need, what works well for them and what might be less helpful.

Respecting confidentiality and sharing information

Seeking agreement to share information that is relevant and proportionate while safeguarding children and young people’s right to confidentiality.

Promoting the same values across all working relationships

Recognising respect, patience, honesty, reliability, resilience and integrity are qualities valued by children, young people, their families and colleagues.

Making the most of bringing together each worker’s expertise

Respecting the contribution of others and co-operating with them, recognising that sharing responsibility does not mean acting beyond a worker’s competence or responsibilities.

Co-ordinating help

Recognising that children, young people and their families need practitioners to work together, when appropriate, to provide the best possible help.

Building a competent workforce to promote children and young people’s wellbeing

Comitted to continuing individual learning, development and improvement of inter-professional practice.

Children are one third of our population and all of our future.