The Scottish Government has launched a consultation seeking views on the draft Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Rules) 2012.
The Children’s Hearings Rules are designed to meet the requirements of the 2011 Act and to give clear instructions to professionals and lay persons involved in the hearings system. They aim to protect the rights of all those involved in a pre-hearing panel or children’s hearing at the same time as delivering a child / family friendly system.
According to the consultation document, the rules associated with the 1995 Act in general worked well and caused minimal difficulties. The proposed rules are built upon these with a similar intent. However, the 2011 Act contains a greater variety of hearings and each has different options for disposal. This has resulted in a requirement for a more detailed set of rules and more rules than were required previously. The 1996 rules contained 33 regulations, the proposed new set has 103 regulations.
The rules are designed broadly to flow through the hearings process, and they specify:
- selection of panel members
- duties of the reporter
- attendance at hearings
- arranging hearings
- pre-hearing panels
- appointment of safeguarders
- procedure at hearings
- notifying decisions
The consultation will run until the 27th January 2012.
