The SHANARRI Achieving indicator focuses on helping children and young people develop skills, confidence and a sense of progress across all areas of life. While often linked to education, Achieving goes far beyond academic attainment.
For professionals in schools, residential care and local authorities, Achieving is about recognising progress in learning, personal development and everyday experiences.
What Achieving Really Means
Within SHANARRI, Achieving includes:
- Progress in education and learning
- Development of skills and confidence
- Participation in creative and social activities
- Building self-esteem and a sense of purpose
It recognises that success looks different for every young person. Progress may be measured through small steps, particularly for those facing additional challenges.
The Attainment Gap in Scotland
Data across Scotland shows a clear attainment gap for looked-after children and those experiencing disadvantage. These young people are less likely to achieve expected outcomes in education compared to their peers.
This highlights the importance of understanding achievement in a broader sense. Academic performance is only one part of the picture. Social, emotional and personal development are equally important.
Supporting Achievement Across Settings
Achievement is supported across multiple environments, including school, residential care and community settings.
Professionals contribute by:
- Encouraging participation in learning and activities
- Recognising and celebrating progress
- Supporting confidence and motivation
- Identifying barriers to engagement
In residential care, this often involves close collaboration between care staff and educators to ensure that support is consistent and aligned.
Recording Progress and Outcomes
Capturing progress accurately is essential for understanding whether support is making a difference. However, this can be challenging when information is recorded across different systems or in inconsistent ways.
Geco Connect helps address this by organising observations and progress updates within the SHANARRI framework. This allows professionals to track achievement over time, identify patterns and build a clearer picture of each young person’s development.
It also supports organisations in evidencing outcomes during inspections and reviews.
Building Confidence and Future Opportunities
Achieving is closely linked to confidence and future opportunities. When young people feel supported and recognised, they are more likely to engage in learning and pursue new experiences.
This requires:
- Consistent encouragement and support
- Opportunities to develop skills and interests
- Recognition of both small and significant achievements
- A focus on long-term development
By understanding achievement in this broader context, professionals can help young people build the confidence and resilience needed for the future.
See SHANARRI in Practice
If you would like to see how organisations are tracking and supporting achievement through the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, Geco Connect can help.
Book a demo to see how it works in practice.