Young people's experiences of Hearings

Paul was 12 when his mum started to hit him. She would hit him almost every day. Paul was really upset and he would get angry at school because he was so unhappy at home.

His teacher was worried about him, so he decided to tell the Children’s Reporter about it. The Children’s Reporter decided that Paul needed to go to a Hearing because of what is called ‘lack of parental care’ to make sure he got help.

His mum also had to come to the Hearing, but she was unhappy with things and didn’t agree with what was being said. This meant the case had to go to the Sheriff Court. The Sheriff decided that Paul did need help and that he should go back to a Hearing.

The people at the Hearing, who are called Panel Members, listened to what Paul had to say. They decided the best thing for him was to make a Supervision Requirement. This is a legal document and it said that Paul had to live with foster carers. Paul was happy with this decision as he wanted to feel safe.

He had to go back to a Hearing from time to time, so Panel Members could hear how he was getting on. To keep him safe, he stayed on Supervision until he was 16. He has now left school and his now training to be a joiner.

Lisa, was aged 11, but she was looking after her young brother and sister, who were three and four. Her mum and dad were not well and they were not looking after Lisa and the two younger children.

A health visitor came round to their house and noticed that the children were being neglected. She decided to tell the Children’s Reporter. The Reporter decided the three children should come to a Hearing to get some help.

The people at the Hearing, the Panel Members said it was important for Lisa and her brother and sister to be looked after properly, to have proper meals and to make sure they went to school.

The Hearing made a Supervision Requirement, and Lisa and her brother and sister are in foster care. They love the family they stay with and they are all doing well at school.

They still see their mum and dad once a week who are getting help from the local council.

Billy was 15 when he got into trouble with the police. He had got involved with a local gang and in a short space of time, he had committed 20 offences. He had been breaking into cars and he had started drinking and smoking cannabis.

The police caught Billy and referred him to the Reporter. His mum was really upset and angry with him. The Reporter decided it was important that Billy went to a Children’s Hearing.

At his Hearing, Billy said he was really sorry for getting involved with the gang. He said he had been showing off and trying to impress them.

The people at the Hearing, the Panel Members, made a Supervision Requirement. His mother was happy as she just wanted him to stay away from the gang.

As part of his Supervision Requirement he was placed on a work experience programme where he discovered he was good at mechanics. He is now training to become a mechanic. Billy has not been in trouble with the police since.

When Drew was 14 he was caught with cannabis in the school playground. The police were called and they referred Drew to the Children’s Reporter.

At the time, Drew was living with his mum and her new boyfriend, who had a criminal record, a history of drug misuse and was suspected of dealing in drugs.

Due to the seriousness of the charge and Drew’s home circumstances, the Reporter referred him to a Hearing, which he attended with his mum who was really worried about him.

The people at the Hearing, the Panel Members, heard that this was unusual behaviour for Drew, who apart from this incident, was a well behaved teenager. He worked hard at school and had never been in trouble before.

The Hearing made a Supervision Requirement, with a condition attached that he attend a special drugs awareness programme for teenagers.

Afterwards, his mother left her boyfriend and Drew has not been in trouble since. He continues to do well at school and is planning to stay on and sit his Highers.