Keeping The Promise Commitment Standards – evaluation report

We have published two new reports today following evaluation of our ‘Keeping The Promise Commitment Standards’.

SCRA’s Research Team carried out an evaluation of the pilot initiative and produced a detailed report highlighting the key findings. We have also produced a report for children and young people.

The aims of the project were to:

• Improve the participation of Relevant Persons (these are usually your parents or carers) in Children’s Hearings.
• Provide a more personal, trauma-informed service.
• Reduce the number of Children’s Hearings that were delayed by providing more support in advance.

The pilot projects ran in Ayrshire, Glasgow, and Lanarkshire, Dumfries & Galloway between June and September 2024.

Every Relevant Person was sent a new look Hearing notification letter. This is now in an easy read style with graphics and links to helpful information on our website.

After the letter was sent, a member of SCRA staff called the Relevant Person and explained what supports were available. This included transport information and how to claim expenses for travelling to the Hearing. Staff also provided information about additional support around attending the Hearing. They also answered any questions around things like virtual Hearings and advocacy.

Key findings:

• 40% of Relevant Persons were successfully contacted.
• 3–8% of contacted Relevant Persons required additional support, with requests focused on travel expenses, virtual Hearings access, and advocacy.
• 83% of Relevant Persons found being contacted helpful, and 78% wanted contact to continue.

Jenny West, Project Manager, said: “We received really positive feedback on phase 1, and we have now incorporated this learning into Family-Friendly Scheduling as part of the national rollout, supported by the Change Team. In Ayrshire, we are also testing the use of text message reminders for Hearings.

“Additionally, a pilot will begin in 2026 to enable SCRA to pay travel expenses to children and Relevant Persons in advance of their Hearing. This aims to remove any financial barriers to attending Hearings.”

Jenny added: “Thank you to all our staff and everyone who supported us with this. It has really been making a difference to help prepare Relevant Persons for Children’s Hearings.”