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To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage people to apply to become members of children’s panels.
Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD)
(OQ 4.3.04)
and 3 related questions
Update
“Record numbers for children?s hearings: A record level of children have been reported to the hearings system in the last year, despite the fact that the number referred for offending has dropped [. . .] The report reveals that the cases referred for alleged lack of parental care have increased by 194% in the last five years. In the last decade, the total numbers referred on care and protection grounds has increased by 102% but those referred for offending has increased by just 7%. . .” Herald
“Crime figures rise for repeat youth offenders: The number of crimes committed by a hard core of repeat youth offenders went up last year, according to new figures. The annual report of the Scottish Children?s Reporter Administrator showed that offences committed by young people went up from 29,232 in 2001-2 to 30,129 in 2002-3. . .” Scotsman
“Kids sent to panel at record high” Evening Times
Following posted on 27.1.04 at 6.43pm.
“Decrease in child offender cases: The number of child offenders dealt with by the Children’s Reporter fell slightly last year, figures have shown. They revealed that 700 fewer children were referred on offence grounds. . .” BBC
See also
Link to the report does not yet seem to be available.
Update
“Call to back youth crime system: Scotland’s children’s hearing system needs to be reinforced to continue as an effective way of dealing with youth crime, an inquiry has found.
[. . .] The inquiry by charity NCH Scotland concluded a fully resourced system could lead the world in child justice. NCH Scotland insisted that the children’s hearing system should remain at the centre of efforts to tackle youth offending but stressed that the system needed significant reform and more resources [. . .] BBC
“Charity warns Executive over youth crime plans” Scottish TV
“Claims that Children?s Hearing system being neglected: Scottish TV
“Charity warns Executive not to return to Victorian punishments: A leading children?s charity warned the Scottish Executive yesterday not to return to Victorian models of punishment for youth crime, as it published a major report into the children?s hearing system.
[. . .] It also comes ahead of a report from the Scottish Children?s Reporter Association, which is today expected to show a continuing increase in the number of referrals to the panels. . .” Scotsman
“14-month mental health delays for children in panel system: Children with mental health problems are being forced to wait up to 14 months for vital consultations with psychiatrists and psychologists, hampering the work of the hearing system. . .” Herald
“Child panel system ?must be retained?: A leading children’s charity yesterday warned Scotland against following England and Wales back to Victorian models of punishment for youth crime. Publishing the results of an inquiry into children’s hearings, NCH Scotland claimed the financial, social and human costs of the courts and punishment system south of the border should deter ministers from going down that road. . .” Herald
“Case for the children?s panel: Victorian values reared their head in 21st-century Scotland yesterday. The occasion was the publication of a report into the system of youth justice, and the warning against a return to nineteenth-century ways was directed at the Scottish Executive by NCH Scotland, the children’s charity. It was a reprimand worthy of Wackford Squeers, but NCH, concerned at the executive’s policy on anti-social behaviour, was right to issue it. . .” Herald. Comment.
Following posted on 26.1.04 at 8.38am.
“Spotlight on youth crime system: The way Scotland deals with youth crime comes under the spotlight in two major reports this week. . .” BBC
“Youth crime findings revealed: The findings of a major inquiry into Scotland’s youth justice system will be published later today. The recommendations are expected to map a new way forward in tackling the problem north of the border. . .” Scottish TV
“We can change behavioural pattern of anti-social youths: There is no shortage of common ground. The government, the police, public and voluntary social welfare agencies, and, not least, Scotland’s most affected communities, all want shot of what we now call anti-social behaviour. Now the debate on where this country stands on that ground has reached a crucial stage.
Over the past few weeks the justice and communities committees in the parliament have taken a wide range of evidence. The initial findings of a report into fast-tracking persistent offenders is in the public domain. And today NCH Scotland, the children’s charity, publishes the conclusions and recommendations of a year-long inquiry into youth justice. Tomorrow the annual report of the Children’s Hearings in Scotland is published. . .” Herald. Comment.
Press Releases
“Major Inquiry into Youth Crime in Scotland: Major inquiry into youth crime calls for “renewal” of Children’s Hearing system . . .” NCH Press Release.
“Young People in the Community Services Launched:Children 1st.
See also
“Recommendations of Inquiry into Youth Justice in Scotland: While we recognise current social anxiety about youth crime we do not believe that an increasingly punitive response is right or effective. . .” NCH.
Children’s Hearings official site
Posted by MM on Tue 27th Jan 2004 at 2:57 pmThe Children’s Hearings System in Scotland 2003 Training Resource Manual (2nd edition) was published in December.
Its contents include a discussion of the history and principles of the children’s hearings system; law and procedure; advice about the conduct of the hearings; and general information about children and familes in Scotland.
Posted by MM on Fri 9th Jan 2004 at 10:04 pmMedia
“Children’s panel system ‘too slow’: The children?s hearing system in Edinburgh is too slow, according to a report by the Scottish Executive. . .” Evening News
“Children?s Hearing System ?still too slow?: Work is still required to speed up the Children?s Hearing System in Scotland despite the introduction of the fast-track pilot scheme in many areas, including Dundee, just over a year ago, the Scottish Executive has admitted . . .” Evening Telegraph
“Children?s hearing system is failing: A damning report on the children’s hearing system revealed yesterday that less than a third of local authorities are referring young people on time, despite massive investment by the Scottish Executive. . .“ Herald
“Children’s hearing system too slow” Scotsman
“Children’s hearings delays condemned” Times
“‘Unacceptable’ delays in children’s system” Evening Times 17.12.03
Press Release
“Children’s Hearings report: More work is needed to speed up the Children’s Hearings system and improvements will be driven forward, Ministers said today. . .” Scot. Exec.
Report
Children’s Hearings Representative Group. Report on Children’s Hearings Time Intervals 2002-3. “Children’s Hearings System: How quick is it at delivering a service for vulnerable children and those who offend? “
A summary report, transcript and evidence presented to NCH Scotland’s inquiry, chaired by Richard Holloway, into the future of the Scottish children’s hearing system in the 21st century, is now on-line. Held on the 5th September at Stirling council chambers, the inquiry posed the question: ”Some people favour a get tough approach to young offenders. Calls have been made to set up youth courts for the more serious or persistent young offenders, and for more punishment and less tolerance. But do we want to go backwards for solutions to current problems? Some supporters of Kilbrandon believe his approach was never fully implemented and much more could be done to improve our services for children in trouble. . .”
Young people from Stirling participated in the inquiry, as did young people from across Scotland. Some had experience of being in trouble and of attending hearings, and others did not. All had an interest in what kind of justice young people in Scotland should expect.
Posted by MM on Mon 10th Nov 2003 at 9:13 pmCan You Hear Me?
Four programmes this week on the Children’s Panel, a “hearings system struggling under the pressure of increasing parental neglect”. All broadcast at 2205-2230.
Tuesday 28th; What happens when a mother admits she can’t cope?
Wednesday 29th; Drugs - The Walking Wounded
Thursday 30th; Who’s Really Listening?
Friday 31st; When Kids Stop Being Kids
BBC Radio Scotland. Scroll down page to audio links.
Posted by MM on Sun 26th Oct 2003 at 5:38 pm
“Children?s panels ?close to collapse: A Children’s panel member yesterday warned that Scotland’s unique system is close to meltdown because the chronic shortage of social workers has worsened over the past year. . .” Herald
Posted by MM on Mon 20th Oct 2003 at 2:08 pm