What are Children’s Hearings proceedings?

A child might need some help or support because of things going on in their life or around them. For example, someone might have hurt or abused them or they may not be being looked after properly or they may have been in trouble with the police.

A children’s hearing can decide the best thing to do for the child and to help the family. At the hearing there will be three people called panel members who will listen to the child and other people with something important to say, such as teachers, social workers or parents. They will then decide what to do in the child’s best interests.

The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) has a responsibility for how the Children’s Hearings System operates. Its website has a lot of information for children and young people to explain about Children's Hearings. This includes a jargon buster, leaflets and a video.