The Children’s Hearings System is Scotland’s unique care and justice system for children and young people. One of its fundamental principles is that children and young people who commit offences, and children and young people who need care and protection, are supported through the same system.

The Children’s Hearings System exists to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and young people. It does this through a decision making lay tribunal called a Children’s Hearing made up of members of the Children’s Panel.

The Children’s Panel is the largest tribunal in Scotland and is made up of over 2,500 specially trained volunteer Panel Members from local communities across Scotland.

Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) is responsible for recruiting, training and supporting around 3,000 volunteers made up of Children’s Panel Members and Area Support Team members (these are volunteers who support Panel Members at a local level).

Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) is responsible for facilitating the work of Children’s Reporters. This organisation also provides accommodation across Scotland for children’s hearings to take place.

Better Hearings In Stirling 

These guidelines are for all professionals supporting children and young people who are going to a Children’s Hearing. It is very important that children and young people who come to a Hearing are as well prepared as possible.