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Children's Hearings began operating in Scotland in April 1971. Before that, any youngster in trouble was brought in front of a Juvenile Court where, in most cases, a magistrate would impose a punishment. A report in the 1960's by Lord Kilbrandon led to the introduction of the Children's Hearing System.

The report said that children coming before the courts had in common a need for special care and treatment, and recommended:

1. That the Court should settle any disputed facts.
2. That a Panel of lay people should decide the best way of providing the help needed for children in trouble or at risk.

The Children's Hearing System seeks to help children who are vulnerable because they are at risk. The Children's Hearing System comes into play where there is felt to be a need to require action by law - where the child has to have something done to help him or her.

The Panel System has no powers to punish; has no powers to decide on guilt or innocence. Although some children involved in serious offences or in offences along with an adult still appear in court.

The emphasis is on considering the needs of the child.

 

« Children's Panel

This information is provided by the Support Services Department