SCRA launches Research Plan 2027-2030 to strengthen evidence and improve outcomes for children and families
We have published our new Research Plan 2027-2030, setting out an ambitious programme of research designed to strengthen understanding of children’s experiences and ensure that policy, practice and decision-making across the Children’s Hearings System is informed by robust evidence.
The plan focuses on understanding the impact of major legislative, policy and societal change, including the implementation of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act and the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Act. These changes will influence who can be referred to the Children’s Reporter, how children’s rights and participation are reflected in decision-making, and how children’s voices are represented within Children’s Hearings.
Alongside legislative reform, the research programme will examine wider issues affecting children and families, including poverty, the cost-of-living crisis, child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, mental health concerns and changing patterns of harm experienced by children and young people. The overarching aim is to ensure that interventions remain responsive, rights-based and evidence-informed.
The priorities within the plan were developed through a systematic review of legislative, policy and practice developments, consultation with SCRA staff, and prioritisation workshops involving SCRA’s Executive Management Team, the Scottish Government’s Children’s Hearings Team and representatives from the Hearings for Children Redesign Board.
Seven key research priorities
The plan identifies seven strategic research projects that will be delivered between 2027 and 2030:
- Understanding the criminal exploitation of children
- Understanding the impact of raising the age of referral to the Children’s Reporter
- Identifying bias in professional decision-making
- Understanding how changes in advocacy provision affect Hearings participation
- Participation of children in Hearings
- Improving understanding of neglect
- The role of education and health professionals in Children’s Hearings
Together, these projects will explore some of the most significant issues currently facing children, families and practitioners.
A new approach to sharing evidence
As part of the plan, SCRA will introduce a new approach to publishing research findings. Rather than waiting to release large standalone reports, findings from desk reviews, statistical analysis and qualitative research will be published as they become available through a modular publication model. An integrated learning report will be produced once work on each research priority has concluded.
To make research more accessible, findings will be shared in a range of formats, including traditional reports, short reads, graphic novels and policy briefings. The research team will also work with SCRA’s practice team to develop an evidence-into-practice series to support the professional development of Children’s Reporters and Assistant Reporters.
Measuring impact
The plan also commits SCRA to producing an annual research impact report. This will assess how research has influenced policy and legislation, informed practice and procedure, contributed to academic knowledge and, most importantly, improved outcomes for children and families.
Dr Catherine Nixon, SCRA’s Research Manager, said: “Our new Research Plan sets out an ambitious programme of work that will help us better understand the experiences of children and families involved in the Children’s Hearings System at a time of significant legislative and societal change.
“By focusing on issues such as participation, advocacy, exploitation, neglect and equality, we will build a stronger evidence base to support rights-based decision-making and improve outcomes for children.
“Importantly, we are also committed to making our research more accessible and ensuring that learning is shared widely with practitioners, policymakers and partners so that evidence can be translated into meaningful change.”
The full SCRA Research Plan is available on our website and provides further detail on each of the seven research priorities and how the programme will be delivered. You can also view all our recent research reports in the Resources section of our website.