What plans it has to monitor and review the implementation of children’s hearing decisions and the effectiveness of the Scottish Children’s…

It is the statutory duty of local authorities to give effect to the decisions made by the children’s hearings. The Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 allows local authorities to be held to account where they have not complied with that duty. The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration through its network of children’s reporters, will record data on the reasons for non-implementation of children’s hearings decision(s). Where it appears that a localauthority is not complying with its legal duty, the panel may give authority tothe reporter to apply to the sheriff court for a court order.
The Review of the Children’s Hearings system, which is led by the Scottish Executive, is intended to improve the delivery of services and outcomes for vulnerable children and young people in Scotland.
Phase one of the review has sought views on the principles and objectives of the children’s hearings system. Phase two will be looking at how the system can be improved to ensure that children who are offending, at risk or in need of care and protection – whether referred or not – get the services they need.
As a non-departmental public body the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration was subject to a formal Policy and Financial Management Review in 2002 (ISBN 0-7559-0596-2). A further review is planned for 2006-07.