Oneyearon: Young Scots get a voice in hearings
Reform of children’s care hearings has helped ensure more young people feel they have a voice in their future, a summit held on the first anniversary of the changes has been told.
In November 2020, the law changed in Scotland to give youngsters the right to an independent advocate to speak up on their behalf.
Previously, experts, social workers and family members could make submissions, leaving children to either talk in person or have their views put across by other interested parties.
Now Children’s Hearings regularly feature advocates who put the authentic voice of the child at the centre of the meetings, which can decide issues around custody, residence and care plans.
An online summit convened by the Scottish Government on Wednesday examined how the scheme has been working. Children and Young People Minister Clare Haughey was the keynote speaker. Beth-anne
Logan, a board member of Children’s Hearings Scotland, said: “The feedback we’re hearing from young people suggests that they feel more included and involved in their own hearings. They are more likely to think that they have been heard and respected.
“Simply being in a room full of adults talking about you can be quite intimidating. They all have the child’s best interests at heart but this culture shift means the child is now front and centre.
“They might not always get the decision they want. However, they will have had their voice heard.
“Having more ownership of the process and seeing their rights upheld will hopefully make young people more confident so they become adults who are better able to face the challenges that life brings.”
She added: “The downside is that we’re still not reaching everyone. Not every young person knows that they have the right to an advocate if they want one and, in some cases, there aren’t the resources to provide one.
“These problems are easily fixed if the resources are made available to educate young people and ensure there are enough advocates.”