Children's Hearings
What are Children's Hearings?
A children's hearing is a legal meeting set up because there are concerns about your wellbeing or the care you are receiving.
At every children’s hearing there are always three volunteers, called Panel Members, and it is their role to understand your circumstances, listen to your views, and then make legal decisions about how to make sure you are protected and cared for.
One of the Panel Members will chair the meeting and will introduce everyone at the start and make sure you know why you are there and who everyone is.
If it is your first time going to a children’s hearing, the Chairperson may read out the grounds for referral. These are the reasons the hearing was arranged. You may be asked whether you agree or disagree with these. There is no pressure to accept anything which you don’t agree with. Just say no.
The rest of the hearing is a big discussion. Everyone will get a chance to speak at your hearing, but the Panel Members will be really interested in what you have to say: You are the most important person there.
Click here to find out more about Children's Hearings.
Children's Rights
Your rights are protected under law which means no one can take your rights away from you.
You have the right to
talk and ask questions at your hearing.
bring someone along with you like a friend or a family member.
bring a legal representative, called a solicitor, with you if you want to.
To make your hearing easier, you can also ask the Panel Members to consider:
Speaking to you on your own.
Having one of the same people on your next hearing.
You do not have to agree with the reasons why you are at a hearing - so if you have been asked to attend a hearing because you have committed an offence but you don’t agree that you committed that offence then you can say so.
If you’re not happy with the decision of the hearing, you have the right to appeal against the decision. Click here to find out more.
What is a safe guarder?
A Safeguarder is someone appointed by a Children’s Hearing, or Sheriff, to help them make the best decision for a child or young person.
Safeguarders are independent. They are not connected to others involved with the child and they are free to give their view of what they think is in the child’s best interests. Safeguarders always do what they think is best for the child, even if the child or others involved with them do not agree with this.
The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) is focused on ensuring the wellbeing of children and young people most at risk of harm. SCRA’s role and purpose is to:
Make effective decisions about a need to refer a child/young person to a Children’s Hearing
Prepare for and participate in court proceedings where statement of grounds or Hearings findings are appealed and ensure the wellbeing of children and young people – particularly vulnerable witnesses – are protected throughout the court process
Support Panel Members (though we are not involved in making Hearing decisions) and ensure fair process in Hearings
Enable children, young people and families to participate in Hearings
Disseminate information and data to influence, inform and reassure
Provide premises for Hearings to take place; and to
Work collaboratively with partners to support and facilitate the Getting it Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) agenda.
More information about SCRA can be found here
Hearings Advocacy
Going to a children’s hearing?
Hearings Advocacy for children and young people who would like help, support and representation. This is called advocacy.
In the Stirling area WhoCares? Scotland have an advocacy and participation worker who can help. Tel: 0141 226 4441
