Introduction to Getting it right for every child 
Getting it right for every child is a national programme that is changing the way adults think and act to help all children and young people grow, develop and reach their full potential.
Over the coming years, Getting it right for every child will help practitioners and organisations to remove the obstacles that can block children's paths on their journey from birth to adulthood.
Children and young people are central to Getting it right for every child. The involvement and contribution of children, young people and families is a fundamental principle of the programme.
The overarching concept of Getting it right for every child is a common, coordinated approach across all agencies that supports the delivery of appropriate, proportionate and timely help to all children as they need it.
The necessary alignment across Scotland to deliver a programme of this breadth and magnitude requires a long term commitment which is why we need change on three fronts;
- culture change
- systems change
- practice change
Although the programme will involve shifts in working for some professionals, the core components of the Getting it right for every child approach reflect good practice that is already happening in areas around the country.
The overarching concept of Getting it right for every child is a common, coordinated approach across all agencies that supports the delivery of appropriate, proportionate and timely help to all children as they need it.
The necessary alignment across Scotland to deliver a programme of this breadth and magnitude requires a long term commitment which is why we are encouraging change on three fronts; culture change, systems change and practice change.
The tangible features of what a "Getting it right world" should look like can be seen in the Getting it right Core Components.
Background to the programme
After a series of consultations and reports by the then Scottish Executive, the first set of Getting it right principles was formally introduced in October 2004.
The principles that were developed called for:
- a more child-centred system
- with heightened focus on the child's needs
- a greater focus on effective outcomes for children
- more effective collaboration between agencies
- a more integrated approach across agencies
- the reduction of institutional, cultural and procedural barriers to joint working
Following a review of a number of consultations, the then Scottish Executive published an Implementation Plan in June 2006.
In September 2006 five "pathfinders" were launched to test out the Getting it right approach in practice and help inform future national guidance and best practice. The pathfinders are being piloted in both a regional and thematic context:
Regional:
Thematic:
- Falkirk Pathfinder (Domestic Abuse)
- Clydebank Pathfinder (Domestic Abuse)
- Edinburgh West Pathfinder (Domestic Abuse)
- Dumfries & Galloway Pathfinder (Domestic Abuse)
In Highland, the approach is to work across all areas of need and services starting with newborn children moving on through early years and school transitions. With a focus on helping all children and young people and improving outcomes, the aim is to simplify processes, develop shared practice tools and protocols, break down professional barriers and help children no matter how simple or complex their needs.
Four Domestic Abuse pathfinders are testing the Getting it right approach through the single trigger of children and young people exposed to domestic abuse. The aim is for all services to explore the extent to which very specific practice tools and protocols are necessary in for example, assessing risk, co-ordinating activity or sharing information or whether learning can be applied across other triggers such as parental substance misuse and mental health problems.
The most recent consultation conducted by Getting it right for every child considered whether there is a requirement for new legislation. Further work in Pathfinders areas and other development work throughout Scotland will help determine whether legislative changes are necessary.
For an overview of the key milestones in the Getting it right for every child journey, please refer to the Programme Timeline.