Since 1971, Scotland has had a valid claim to be the leader in children's justice through its Children's Hearings. The system considers children's "needs and deeds" - the circumstances that have pushed them down the criminal path as well as the facts of each case. But there are signs, from failings in the system itself and, some say, from the Scottish Executive's increasingly harsh attitude towards young people, that Children's Hearings will have to undergo a transformation if they are to continue to deliver their unique service.
The Children's Hearings system was introduced after a review into Scotland's youth justice system in the 1960s under Lord Kilbrandon. Children under 16 are only prosecuted in adult courts if they are charged with committing a serious offence such as murder or assault to the danger of life. In all other cases they go through the hearings system, which covers a variety of more minor criminal offences and also deals with child-welfare cases.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
