Experiences of virtual Children’s Hearings captured in new consultation
The findings of a new rapid consultation have identified key areas of focus for further strengthening the experience of virtual Children’s Hearings in Scotland.
Those involved and affected by the Children’s Hearings System had the opportunity to share their views and experiences in the consultation undertaken by researchers at CELCIS and the Central for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ), at the University of Strathclyde. The research seeks to better understand the experience of virtual Hearings, held online using video links, brought about under the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020, which came into force in April 2020. By capturing the views of people involved and affected by this new way of convening Hearings, it aims to strengthen future experiences, service planning and delivery, and to determine to what extent virtual hearings can facilitate participation by those who cannot, or prefer not to, attend Hearings in person.
The full consultation report, children and young person's report, and parents and carers report can be read below.