UNISON makes voice heard on new Children’s Hearings Bill
UNISON is to have detailed talks with Scottish Goverment
officials to address concerns the union has raised about
the Draft Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill.
The talks were set up as we went to press at a meeting
with Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years,
and members of UNISON Scotland’s Social Work Isues Group
(SWIG) and the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration
(SCRA) Branch after they had submitted detailed comments
on the draft Bill.
Already the Minister has signalled that some of UNISON’s
main concerns - mainly about protection for children and
maintaining the welfare ethos of the system - will be addressed.
He also said he shared UNISON’s strong defence of Scotland’s
Children’s Hearing System as childcentred and welfare-based.
Kate Ramsden, from UNISON’s SWIG, said, “We were seriously
concerned that the Bill actually removed current protections
from children who could be at risk in an abusive household,
and also that children would only be referred for voluntary
advice and assistance if they have already been subject
to compulsory supervision.
“We welcome the Minister’s promise to address these areas.”
However, serious concerns remain, mainly about the proposed
new dual structure. The establishment of a new quango is
likely to lead to a dual administration, meaning increased
potential for confusion and increased bureaucracy.
Yvonne Stewart, UNISON SCRA branch secretary said, “The
creation of a Scottish Children’s Hearing Tribunal (SCHT)
and the split in the administration of the children’s hearing
system can only lead to increased bureaucracy and a greater
possibility of confusion and error.
“This will lead to a more complex system for children,
families and other professionals to engage with, and increased
cost while also increasing the risk to children.”
John Stevenson, from UNISON’s SWIG agreed. “The double
bureaucracy is likely to add to, rather than reduce, the
amount of paperwork social workers have to fill in. This
is despite all the evidence that shows the level of form-filling
is a major factor reducing the time social workers can spend
with children.”
UNISON is also concerned about a shift of powers towards
the courts. John said, “The ability of a court to completely
rehear a case decided by a Children’s Hearing and other
changes would have meant that cases were more likely to
be decided in an adversarial atmosphere of a court of law,
rather than the hearing setting of all parties discussing
the best option for a child.
“We were glad to hear the Minister also say that this issue
would be addressed.
“UNISON believes the welfare principle of Scotland’s world-leading
Children's Hearing system is worth defending.”
The vast majority of cases Children’s Hearings deal with
are about the care and protection of children - 40,000 out
of 50,000 referrals last year - rather than offences.
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