Attending your Hearing Virtually
It’s really important you take part in your Virtual Hearing if you can, as decisions can be made about you and your future. It’s important you let the Panel know how you are feeling or if you are worried about something.
You will be joining your Hearing using Microsoft Teams. You will receive a letter from us with more information about attending a Hearing Virtually.
Connectivity test
About a week before you attend a Hearing Virtually, a virtual support assistant will email or phone you, asking if you would like to do a connectivity test. This is to ensure that there are no issues with your connections and that you have everything to need.
If you would like to do a test before then, you can contact the Virtual Hearings Team.
Should you choose to have a test, we will send you an email that will have a link to Microsoft Teams at an arranged time for you to ‘meet’ our tester in the virtual room. You can find out more about getting a test here.
Two days before your Hearing is due to take place, you will receive your joining instructions to attend virtually – these are sent to your email address.
The Virtual Support Assistant will be in the Hearing at the start to help you with any access issues.
The Virtual Support Assistant will continue to ensure using the system is as stress free as possible and that your Hearing can go ahead with you in attendance.
Data provision
If you don’t have Wi-Fi, depending on your phone package, attending the Hearing could use up a lot of your data. We can help you with this, and will provide you with additional data by purchasing it in advance and sending it to you. You will get more information on how this works when you speak to the Virtual Support Assistant.
Protecting your privacy
Your privacy in a Virtual Hearing is important. You don’t need to display your name or phone number if you don’t want to. Find out more here.
Guidance
You will be attending your Hearing using Microsoft Teams. You will get a letter giving you information about this.
You can also contact the Virtual Support Assistant Team who arrange all the Hearings for your locality and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. You can email them at virtualhearings@scra.gov.uk.
Helpful information
Please remember, if you have any issues or questions you can contact our Virtual Hearings Team or your Children’s Reporter.