Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) Practice Guidance 3 – The role of the lead professional

4. The lead professional

During childhood there may be circumstances where children, young people and families require the support of a child’s plan. This is where a lead professional will be needed. The lead professional is an agreed, identified person within the network of practitioners who are working alongside the child or young person and their family (examples are given at section 7). In most cases, the professional who has the greatest responsibility in coordinating and reviewing the child’s plan will undertake this role. Throughout a child or young person’s journey, this person may change depending on the child or young person’s needs, but there should always be a lead professional identified when there is a multi-agency (see glossary) child’s plan. All decision-making about support and the child’s plan should seek and act on the views of the child or young person and their family, where appropriate, in accordance with their best interests and in consideration with their full spectrum of rights.