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Children's hearing reform delayed Children's hearing reform delayed
(1 day later)
Reforms to the children's hearing system in Scotland have been delayed, following criticism of the proposals.Reforms to the children's hearing system in Scotland have been delayed, following criticism of the proposals.
The Scottish Government's plans involve creating a new national body - the Scottish Children's Hearings Tribunal.The Scottish Government's plans involve creating a new national body - the Scottish Children's Hearings Tribunal.
However, some current children's panel members have threatened to resign over the proposals.However, some current children's panel members have threatened to resign over the proposals.
Ministers have decided more time was needed to look at the reforms before they were brought to parliament, stressing they must not be rushed.Ministers have decided more time was needed to look at the reforms before they were brought to parliament, stressing they must not be rushed.
Scotland's children's hearing system, staffed by trained volunteers, aims to address the offending behaviour of vulnerable young offenders outside the more formal setting of the court room.Scotland's children's hearing system, staffed by trained volunteers, aims to address the offending behaviour of vulnerable young offenders outside the more formal setting of the court room.
The majority of its work is dealing with either child protection or child welfare cases, covering issues such as neglect, abuse and lack of parental care.
'Strengthen' system'Strengthen' system
The government, which published its draft Children's Hearings Bill in June, now expects to put it before parliament early next year.The government, which published its draft Children's Hearings Bill in June, now expects to put it before parliament early next year.
The new tribunal would oversee the 32 local panels and carry out training and recruitment presently run by individual councils.The new tribunal would oversee the 32 local panels and carry out training and recruitment presently run by individual councils.
One of the critics, Phillip White, chairman of the Argyll and Bute panel members, said the proposed changes were "unwelcome, unwanted and unnecessary".One of the critics, Phillip White, chairman of the Argyll and Bute panel members, said the proposed changes were "unwelcome, unwanted and unnecessary".
Labour claimed the government had now abandoned the bill - but ministers denied this, and accused the party of playing "petty politics".Labour claimed the government had now abandoned the bill - but ministers denied this, and accused the party of playing "petty politics".
An aide to Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop, said: "Scotland's unique Children's Hearings system is one of the jewels in the crown of the Scottish legal and social care systems.An aide to Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop, said: "Scotland's unique Children's Hearings system is one of the jewels in the crown of the Scottish legal and social care systems.
"Made up of local people taking decisions for young people in their communities, it remains the best way of providing support and assistance to our most vulnerable children and their families."Made up of local people taking decisions for young people in their communities, it remains the best way of providing support and assistance to our most vulnerable children and their families.
"We are seeking to strengthen that system and protect it from the increasing threat of legal challenge under the European Convention on Human Rights.""We are seeking to strengthen that system and protect it from the increasing threat of legal challenge under the European Convention on Human Rights."
Scottish Labour's children and early years spokeswoman, Karen Whitefield, said: "The changes would have damaged the current system and the message is that the SNP have been sent off to think again.Scottish Labour's children and early years spokeswoman, Karen Whitefield, said: "The changes would have damaged the current system and the message is that the SNP have been sent off to think again.
"The whole affair shows a government that is running out of properly thought out policies, and there will have to be a rethink of the entire bill.""The whole affair shows a government that is running out of properly thought out policies, and there will have to be a rethink of the entire bill."