Research
In 2008/09, 225 children and young people had secure authorisations from Children's Hearings - 183 children had secure authorisations made as conditions of Warrants, 164 children had secure authorisations made as conditions of Supervision Requirements. This research was carried out to obtain information on the implementation of secure authorisations of 100 young people (aged 10 to 16 years), and to follow these young people through the Children's Hearings System looking at the interventions they received and their outcomes.
Secure Authorisations (737 kb)
The Scottish Government commissioned an evaluation of some of the interagency screening processes which reported in 2009 - ‘ Early and Effective Intervention Evaluation Report’. This evaluation reviewed the processes to identify examples of good practice. SCRA's research follows on from the previous evaluation and looks at interventions and outcomes for children and the impact of the screening processes on referrals to the Reporter and children requiring compulsory measures of supervision.
Early and Effective Action Screening Groups (455 kb)
SCRA Research Programme 2009-10 and 2010-11 - published 2009
SCRA carries out research to meet its business priorities as set out in its Corporate Plan and annual Business Plans. It also carries out research to support and inform development of the Children’s Hearings System and raise awareness of the issues facing children and young people involved in it. SCRA is pursuing a more outcomes focused approach in how it plans its business and assesses its performance. This approach is not confined to SCRA as an organisation but also the wider Hearings System with a particular focus on children and young people.
Children under two years old are some of the most vulnerable in our society. The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) carried out this research to show the extent of children under two years at risk in Scotland, as evidenced by referral to the Children’s Reporter. It explores trends in numbers of children being referred and the reasons for this, and looks at the most at risk – those where emergency measures are needed to protect the child and where children have died.
Children aged under two referred to the Children's Reporter (460 kb)
Children who require compulsory measures of supervision are referred to Children’s Hearings to decide what interventions are necessary to protect and promote their welfare. Over 40,000 Children’s Hearings are held in a year. This research explored the views and experiences of children and young people, their parents and carers attending Hearings to identify what aspects are working and areas for improvement.
The views and experiences of children and families involved in the CHS in Scotland (2006 kb)
This is the second of two summary findings reports of the SCRA's research examining children and families’ experiences of the Children’s Hearings System in Scotland. This summary presents the key findings of the second phase of the research – in depth qualitative interviews with children, young people, parents and carers. The interviews gathered further information on the views and experiences about SCRA’s service and attending Children’s Hearings to support the findings from the national survey of children and families.
SCRA Research Summary Findings of Interviews (378 kb)
This is the first of two summary findings of the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration’s research examining children and families’ experiences of the Children’s Hearings System (CHS) in Scotland. This summary presents the key findings of the first phase of the research – a national survey of children and families. The survey gathered views and experiences about SCRA’s service and attending Children’s Hearings.
The views and experiences of children and families involved in the CHS in Scotland (700 kb)
Recent policies and guidance within Scotland have focused on the need to address both the prevention of children and young people engaging in offending behaviour, and addressing the needs of those who pose a risk to themselves and other people. The aim of this study is to inform understanding about a group of children who present a risk of serious harm to others. This research addresses two principal concerns. It seeks to profile the backgrounds of a sample of children who present a risk of serious harm and analyses the child's contact with the Children’s Hearing System.
Children who Present a Risk of Serious Harm (841 kb)
The number of Child Protection Orders (CPOs) has increased in recent years. In 2006-07, 624 children were subjects of CPOs. This research was carried out to better understand the circumstances that led to CPOs being made to protect children, and also if compulsory intervention was necessary to safeguard these children in the longer term.
A Study of Children Subject to Child Protection Orders in Edinburgh 2006/2007 (251 kb)
This research examines the offending behaviour and social backgrounds of a group of children referred to the Children's Reporter with a low level of offending.
Low Level Offending (434 kb)
This report analyses the relationship between levels of multiple deprivation across Edinburgh and the number of children subject to Supervision Requirements.
Child Deprivation and Compulsory Measures: Exploring the Links in Edinburgh (499 kb)
This study examines children and young people’s experiences of advocacy within the Children’s Hearings System and how advocacy support could be improved.
Big Words and Big Tables (485 kb)
