Coronavirus legislation – changes to the law

There is usually a review of a Compulsory Supervision Order shortly before the order expires. The expiry date is extended by 6 months under the new legislation. The review should take place before the original expiry date if possible, but can take place up to 6 months later.

Relevant persons and children and young people are temporarily not required to attend Children’s Hearings unless a Hearing or a Sheriff issues a direction to attend (this could be either virtually or having to physically attend). However, relevant persons, children and young people may attend their Children’s Hearing virtually if they wish. Please see the option ‘Virtual or Remote Attendance at Children’s Hearings’ below.

Under the new legislation, when a Sheriff grants a Child Protection Order, this lasts for 8 working days. If the Reporter decides a Children’s Hearing is needed, the Hearing will take place before the order runs out (within 8 working days).

The length of time or duration or Compulsory Supervision Orders is extended by 6 months.

If a child or young person is required by a Children’s Hearing to reside at a specified place is moved by the Local Authority to a different place, normally a Review Hearing must take place within 3 working days. However, under the new legislation, a Review Hearing must take place within 7 working days of the date of the transfer, instead of 3.

Interim Compulsory Supervision Orders, sometimes referred to as ICSOs, usually last up to 22 days, and can be extended at a Children’s Hearing or before a Sheriff. Interim Compulsory Supervision Orders can now last up to 44 days when issued by a Children’s Hearing. An Interim Compulsory Supervision Order issued by a Sheriff can be for any length of time. The same applies to Interim Variations.

Normally, a Hearing must have 3 Panel Members, but under the new legislation, a Hearing can take place with fewer than 3 Panel Members.

Under the new temporary legislation, that maximum amount of time a child or young person can be in secure accommodation under the Secure Accommodation Regulations without review by a Children’s Hearing is 96 hours (previously 72).

Relevant persons and children and young people are temporarily not required to attend Children’s Hearings unless a Hearing or a Sheriff issues a direction to attend. However, relevant persons, children and young people may attend their Children’s Hearing virtually if they wish. Detailed information about virtual Hearings and how to attend one will be contained in Hearing notifications, and there is additional information on our website.