Spotlight on … Communi-crate
This time we shine the spotlight on Communi-crate – a communications toolkit for children and young people which is being rolled out across Scotland this year.
We talk to SCRA’s Corporate Parenting Manager, Karen Garside to find out all about it…
Q) What is Communi-crate?
Communi‑crate is a box of tools designed to support children and young people to communicate, participate, and be heard in their Children’s Hearing. It helps them express their views, feelings, and experiences in ways that work best for them, creating a more child‑centred and inclusive Hearing process.
Q) How did it come about?
Communi‑crate was developed in response to a clear and evidenced need to make Children’s Hearings more child‑centred and inclusive. The views of children and young people are central to effective decision‑making, yet many experience barriers to having their voices heard. Young people with experience of Hearings helped us develop the toolkit.
The Promise highlighted that many children and young people attending Hearings have known speech, language and communication needs, and that there is an over‑representation of children with additional support needs. It made clear that children must be provided with all the support they need to fully participate and be heard in Hearings.
Q) How does it work?
Before each Hearing, Communi‑crate is introduced to children and young people to help them feel supported and prepared. The crate includes a range of items to help them share their thoughts and feelings, such as a worry monster, communication and emotion cards, and materials like a whiteboard, paper, and pens to write, draw, or doodle.
These items support children and young people to express their views, feelings, and experiences in ways that suit them and do not rely solely on spoken language. This helps reduce anxiety, supports meaningful participation, and contributes to Hearings that are more trauma‑informed, accessible, and truly child‑centred.
Communi‑crate is most effective when all professionals in the room understand its purpose and are ready to support the child or young person to use it.
Q) What are the benefits you are seeing for children and young people?
When supported by SCRA staff and other Hearings professionals to use the toolkit to engage in a child-centred and trauma-informed way, we have seen some really lovely examples of children and young people being able to successfully use the tools to express their views to the panel. The Worry Monster is a particular favourite.
Q) What if children and young people don’t want to use it?
The kit is completely optional, we will offer it to all children and young people before the Hearing, if they say that they don’t want to use that is totally fine, although we will leave it in the Hearing room for them if they change their mind at any point during the Hearing.
Q) If anyone has any comments or suggestions, can they get in touch?
Yes – absolutely. We would love to hear from you. Comments, suggestions, as well as any feedback from children, young people and their families from localities currently using the toolkit are very welcome. Your feedback will help us ensure Communi‑crate is being used effectively, continues to develop in the right way, and is genuinely benefiting children and young people.