SCRA’s Hearing room improvement programme 2021/22
We are excited to unveil the next phase of our Hearing room improvement programme for 2021/22! Over the next year a further six Hearing rooms will be revamped.
SCRA’s Hearing Room Improvement Programme is now in its 6th year and to date we have upgraded 30 Hearing rooms. One of the main elements of the programme has been the removal of large meeting tables – one of the asks from children and young people. In addition, the new-look rooms include different seating options, small coffee tables and play areas for young children.
The aim is to create a more welcoming and relaxed atmosphere to help children and young people participate more effectively in their Hearings.
Neil Hunter, SCRA’s Principal Reporter/Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since we undertook the first pilot model Hearing room in 2015, our Hearing room improvement programme has made a significant difference.
“When we started designing the very first room in Glasgow, we worked closely with Hearings-experienced young people to ensure the room met their needs. We would like to say a massive thank you to all the young people who have been involved in the rolling programme since its inception, including everyone from Who Cares? Scotland, Our Hearings, Our Voice and our own Hearings-experienced Modern Apprentices.”
The six new rooms, which are in Bellshill, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Kirkwall and Lochgilphead, will all be complete by March 2022.
Neil added: “We have listened to children and young people and removed the big tables. As a result, the new-look rooms are much more inclusive and enable greater participation in Hearings. We continue to review the portfolio with Hearings experienced young people and make adjustments when required.
“We know we still have work to do to improve all our Hearing rooms. We aim to have the remaining 18 Hearing rooms all refurbished by the end of March 2024. This might seem a long way away, but it is a major project and we want to ensure every Hearing room is done to the same high standard.”