Getting papers for a Children’s Hearing for the first time

If you are aged 12 or over and you are going to a Children’s Hearing, you will usually be sent some papers, although there are some exceptions to this. These are called your Hearing Papers.

These are the same papers that are sent to relevant persons (people in your life like your parents or carers) and to the Panel Members.

The papers will help you take part in your Hearing and have your say.

Usually the papers include the Statement of Grounds (these set out the reasons why you have been referred to a Children’s Hearing), and reports from your social worker and school.

There might be a report from someone called a Safeguarder.

You will also receive an Hearing About Me form. You can fill this in to let the Panel Members know how you are feeling.

Getting help and support

If you require any help in understanding your papers or if something in the papers upsets you, please remember there are people you can talk to about how you are feeling.

This could include your social worker, advocacy worker or teacher. You can find out more about advocacy and how to get an advocacy worker on this helpful website.

You can speak to a lawyer (also known as a solicitor) who may be able to help you. Most

children and young people don’t have to pay for this.

You can contact the Scottish Legal Aid Board on 0131 226 7061 to get the name of a lawyer in your area or visit their website www.slab.org.uk.

The Scottish Child Law Centre provides free legal advice to children and young people. Please visit their website www.sclc.org.uk and complete their online advice form.