1. The Children’s Hearing System

2. Today we will… Describe what the child Hearing System is
Explain how the CHS can be used to support venerable young people.

3. The Children’s Hearing System
Has been used in Scotland since 1971.
It is unique to Scotland.
It is used for multiple reasons: children whose situations may require intervention because of neglect, an offence they have committed or an offence has been committed against them.

4. Reasons for a children’s hearing…
Beyond parental control
Misusing drugs/alcohol
Not attending school
Subject to an ASBO
At risk of danger
Is likely to suffer harm to health or development through lack of care

5. Number of Referrals to the Children's Panel
Draw a conclusion about the following headings:
The number of referrals in 2015/16
The trend in referrals since 2003/04

6. Children's Hearings System - Source of Referrals
Support and Oppose:
Social work is without doubt, the largest group who make the referrals to the children's panel.

7. Most common grounds for referral to the Reporter 2015/16
Conclusion:
Most likely reason for child to be referred.

8. Why is it different from the adult court system?
It is NOT a court case.
The most important thing is the well being of the child.
A children’s hearing helps to decide what is the best way forward to help the child.

9. Children’s Reporter
A reporter will decide if a child needs to be referred to the Children’s Hearing.
They may speak to the child’s teacher or social worker if the child has one.
Any person that is worried about a child/young person can refer information on to the children’s reporter.

10. How is a hearing carried out?
3 members on the children’s panel; must be a mixture of men and women.
The parents should attend; if they do not they will be fined.
The media may be present but cannot identify the child.
The meetings are informal.

11. What can the children’s panel do?
Issue a ‘Supervision Requirement’: the social work department work with the child in school and at home OR the child may be placed in foster care.
Anti Social Behaviour [Scotland] Act 2004 gives children’s hearings the power to restrict a young person’s movement which can be done through tagging.
Counselling can be put in place to help a young person change their behaviour.

12. Activity 1
Watch the following video clip and take notes on what happens at a Children’s Panel Hearing. Use the worksheet to add extra information to your notes.