Consultation on raising age of referrals to children’s hearings
The Scottish Government has today (17 June) launched a consultation on raising the age at which a young person can be referred to a children’s hearing from 16 to 18.
Currently only 16 and 17-year olds who are already within the children’s hearing system can be referred or have their order continued until they are 18.
The proposal would remove the bar on new referrals so all young people between 16 and 18 can benefit from the range of protective and supportive measures available to children hearings.
The consultation, which is open until October, also seeks views on whether improvements are needed to the advice and support available for victims of crime.
Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, comments:
“We welcome the launch of this consultation, and its aims to tackle the root causes of young offending, reducing the number of children and young people entering the criminal justice system. This will enable harmful behaviours involving children below 18 to be addressed on a case by case basis, and will ensure victims receive appropriate support and information.
“Victim Support Scotland believes that victims of child perpetrators must have the same level of protection as victims of adult perpetrators. We hope through this consultation that additional protections, resourcing and practice implications of any age increase would require assessing the needs of victims of crime when the perpetrator has gone through the Children’s Hearing System.
“The voices and experiences of those affected by crime must be at the heart of any proposed changes.”
Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd said:
“We know many vulnerable 16 and 17 year olds currently fall outwith the Children’s Hearings System and we want to ensure all children and young people get the right support, care and protection at the right time.
“Our consultation calls for views on whether all under 18s should be supported in a child centred system. This includes vulnerable young people at risk of exploitation, abuse or harm due to their own behaviour or the behaviour of others.
“The responses to our consultation will be vital in considering the best way forward and I look forward to considering all views.”
The consultation paper and an Easy Read version of the provisions of the Bill have been published on the Scottish Government website.
Latest news and blogs
-
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3 Debate
At Wednesday’s debate on Stage 3 of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill, we’re asking members of the Criminal Justice Committee to consider the rights of victims who are harmed by 16 and 17-year-olds. Read our briefing to MSPs.
Read more
-
Remote evidence suites
Victim Support Scotland receives £500,000 funding from Scottish Government for specialist remote evidence suites
Read more
-
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Stage 1 debate
At today’s debate on Stage 1 of the Victim’s, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, we’re asking members of the Criminal Justice Committee to keep victims’ views at the heart of their decision-making. Read our briefing to MSPs:
Read more
-
Victims’ charity seeks support to uphold victims’ rights
Victim Support Scotland, Scotland’s leading national charity for victims, is urging MSPs to consider victim support and information needs in the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill as the debate of Stage 3 of the Bill approaches on 24 April.
Read more
-
Join Victim Support Scotland as a charity Trustee
Are you an exceptional leader, ambitious for change to improve victims’ and witnesses’ experiences of the criminal justice system? Leading charity VSS is looking for high calibre and committed professionals to join our Board of Trustees.
Read more
-
The importance of feedback
We always seek to hear from individuals affected by crime about their experiences with our services. This is crucial to ongoing learning and improvement within our work and in informing others about how our support can make a difference. We particularly encourage those who have experienced harm caused by children and young people under 18 to share their views.
Read more
-
Minister goes to court to learn about services for victims and witnesses
As part of Victims’ Awareness Week, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown visited Edinburgh Sheriff Court for a familiarisation visit.
Read more
-
Bex’s story
Read more
-
Campaign launches to support more victims of crime – press release
Read more
-
Student Volunteering Week – Priya’s story
Read more
-
Student Volunteering Week – Anna’s story
Read more
-
Victim support organisations sign open letter calling for anonymity for children who die as a result of crime
Read more
Whoever you are and whatever the crime, we’re here to help
-
Call our free helpline | Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm
0800 160 1985 -
Help near you
Enter town or postcode:
-
Request support
Complete our form