Children’s hearings talk for Rotarians
Babs Patterson, lead panel member for Children’s Hearings Scotland in South Lanarkshire, and her colleague Malcolm Devlin spoke to East Kilbride Rotarians about their work in the community.
After a short DVD explaining the different roles of people involved in the hearings Babs set out the background to the system, which is unique to Scotland.
In the late 1960s the Kilbrandon Report was commissioned, setting out the terms of the Social Work Scotland Act 1969.
This act provided an alternative path for young persons who were in trouble and/or needed support and guidance and who might otherwise appear in court.
The first hearings were held in 1971 and involved young persons up to the age of 18.
Babs stressed that the hearings are child-centred and involve all family members, social work officers, schools and anyone else involved in the care of the child.
The panels are made up of three volunteers, including at least one man and one woman, who are given extensive training on legislation and the range of measures they can consider, such as compulsory supervision orders.
The hearings are held in the presence of the families and the reasons for all the panel’s decisions are explained to them.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Roddy Shanks, who thanked Babs for a very interesting and informative talk.