The wellbeing indicators

Wellbeing is considered and assessed across the aspects of children and young people being Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and Included. These are the wellbeing indicators as referred to within section 96(2) in Part 18 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, parents have the responsibility to safeguard and promote the health, development and welfare of their children (see section 1(1)(a) on the parental responsibility to safeguard and promote a child’s health, development and welfare. This is subject to section 3(1)(b), (d) and (3) of the Act). Where parents and families require support to do this, the GIRFEC approach aims to ensure that early offers of support are made available.

The wellbeing indicators identify the areas in which an Assessment of Wellbeing is demonstrated, in order to enable all children and young people to reach their full potential. They allow practitioners, together with children and young people, to discuss, consider and record observations, events, strengths and needs, and to plan support. The ‘My World Triangle’ and the ‘Resilience Matrix’ are used in conjunction to gather, structure and assist in the analysis of information. In some cases, recording progress using the wellbeing indicators will allow the identification of needs that only become apparent from cumulative information or collated single-agency or multi-agency records.

There are five key questions that practitioners should ask themselves when considering a child or young person’s wellbeing needs, whilst maintaining a focus on the rights of the child. The child or young person should fully participate in discussions when considering these questions:

1. What is getting in the way of this child or young person’s wellbeing?
2. Do I have all the information I need to help this child or young person?
3. What can I do now that is needed and appropriate to help this child or young person?
4. What can my agency or organisation do now to help this child or young person?
5. What additional help, if any, may be needed from others?

Wellbeing indicators:

The well-being indicators are an essential feature of the practice model and are used at three points during the assessment and planning process.

1. To provide a context for identifying and recording concerns.                                                                                                                                                                                              
2. As a framework for

• analysis of further information gathered around the My World Triangle
• setting goals
• the actions to be taken to bring about the desired outcomes

3. To provide clear objectives against which the plan can be reviewed