Update on Children’s Hearings – August 2022

Although all Coronavirus restrictions are lifted, COVID-19 is still with us and we are still doing everything we can to keep people safe in our Hearings centres and offices.

With things getting back to normal, more face to face Children’s Hearings are taking place. If you are attending a face to face Hearing, the information below should help.

If you are participating in a Virtual Hearing (as these are still taking place) we have plenty of helpful information and top tips on the Virtual Hearings section of our website.

Our Hearings centres:

Face coverings
As the legal requirement to wear face coverings is now removed, everyone using our premises, are strongly encouraged to continue to wear face coverings if they can in communal areas, when moving around the Hearings centre, in less ventilated areas and when it is not possible to be at least a metre away from others.

Distancing
Whilst there is no physical distancing requirements in place, everyone is encouraged to give others space while in our buildings. Although there is no longer a requirement to consider capacity in Hearings rooms, with the reminder of the strong encouragement to wear a face covering if within one metre of others in a Hearing space, bringing groups of people together into rooms will be managed in line with this guidance.

Ventilation
Good ventilation remains an important protection measure and we encourage anyone using our buildings to continue to open windows and doors when possible to support the removal of airborne particles and ensure fresh air can circulate.

Hand Hygiene
We continue to encourage regular hand washing and hand sanitiser will still be available in our Hearing centres.

Any questions?

If you have any questions before your Hearing, you can contact your Reporter. Phone number and email addresses are available in the Contact Us section of our website.

If on arrival at our Hearings centre you have any questions or concerns, please speak to our reception staff. 

If you are due to participate in a Virtual Hearing and want to do a test beforehand. Please contact our Virtual Hearings Team.

Virtual Hearings

If you are due to participate in a virtual Hearing, you will receive a letter from us giving you more information about how you can participate via a tablet laptop/PC or mobile phone.

The Virtual Hearings Team will then send instructions to help you with the set up. This will be followed by a test to make sure you are prepared for the day of the Hearing.

We have a section on our website with everything you need to know about participating in a Virtual Hearing. Find out more here.

Contact information

If you need to contact one of our local teams, please contact them via email or telephone. A list of local email addresses and phone numbers is available here.

There is other people who can help you. You can find a list of Legal Representatives in your area here.

Advocacy for Children’s Hearings is available for children and young people to help them participate in face to face and virtual Hearings. You can find more information about advocacy and providers in your area on this website.

You can contact Parentline on 08000 28 22 33 or via their website.

We have a leaflet for parents with more contact information.

Helpful tips

We have also created a set of questions and answers which might help you if participating in a virtual Hearing. 

Taking part in a virtual Hearing? Check out our top tips animation! More detailed advice is available here.