Children

Your Rights

Cartoon girl with pigtails

If you are going to a Children’s Hearing, do you know you have some really important rights?

You have the right to:

  • To give your views to the Panel Members – and have them taken into account.
  • To provide information that you want the Hearing to consider.
  • If you are able to understand it, you have the right to be given all the information that the Hearing has.
  • You can bring someone with you to help you discuss things in your Hearing. This can be anyone you choose – for example, an advocacy worker, a friend, relative, or any trusted person who you feel will support you.
  • You can bring a lawyer (solicitor) as well if you wish.
  • To have the number of people attending the Hearing (at the same time) to be kept to as few as possible.
  • To appeal against the decision made by the Hearing within 21 days from the date of the Hearing.
  • To request another Hearing which can take place 3 months after your last Hearing (if your Hearing made or kept a Compulsory Supervision Order in place).

See your rights at a glance.

Want more information about your rights? 

  • You can  speak to your Children’s Reporter. Their contact details will be on the letter sent to you about your Hearing.
  • You can speak to a lawyer (also known as a solicitor) or an advocacy worker, or both, who may be able to help you. Almost all children and young people can have a lawyer without any cost, and advocacy services are always free for children and young people attending a Children’s Hearing.
  • You can contact the Scottish Legal Aid Board on 0131 226 7061 to get the name of a lawyer in your area or visit www.slab.org.uk.
  • You can speak to a Children’s Rights Officer. Your local Social Work Department should be able to help you with this.

You can read our ‘Your Rights‘ leaflet which explains children and young people’s rights in a Hearing, where to get more information and how to complain.

You can contact the Scottish Legal Aid Board on 0131 226 7061 to get the name of a lawyer in your area or visit www.slab.org.uk and you can get information about advocacy services on the Hearings advocacy website.

And remember…

Your rights are protected by law, which means no one can take your rights away from you.