Evaluation Findings: From Act to Practice Phase 1

The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 was introduced to modernise and strengthen the children's hearings system, with the ultimate aim of delivering better outcomes for children. Changes in the Act cover the structure for panel members and safeguarders, modernising the grounds for referral, clarifying who has rights in the system, and making the system and processes more transparent. The changes also provide for the ability of children and their families to participate more effectively in the process, as well as removing obstacles to implementation of hearing's orders, and generally aiming to improve consistency across the system. It was recognised that these changes would have a significant impact on everyone who comes into contact with the children's hearings system. Consequently, Cl@n Childlaw and the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) developed and delivered a programme of information seminars about the changes.