This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Local meeting on children’s hearings
21/06/2004
The latest in a series of national public meetings to
allow people to influence the children's hearings system
review takes place in Dumfries next week.
Scottish Executive officials will attend a public
meeting in the Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club, English
Street, Dumfries DG1 2DF on Monday 28 June, at 6.45pm.
The review was launched on April 22 and aims to
encourage wide discussion on issues and challenges facing
the system, its principles and its key objectives.
As well as the meeting being open to the public, people
who work in the system - including the 89 children's panel
members in Dumfries and Galloway - are being encouraged to
attend the event.
Education Minister Peter Peacock has encouraged local
people to participate, saying:
"The hearings system is unique to Scotland, but its
workload has changed significantly over the years. It is
important that we look at the system to ensure that it can
still deliver for young people in Dumfries and Galloway,
and across Scotland.
"I would encourage anyone with an interest in the
wellbeing of our children, families and communities to play
a part in this review. I look forward to hearing about
these issues when my officials visit Dumfries."
The meeting is open to everyone, whether they are
familiar with the system's work or not. Comments from the
meeting will be used to help develop changes to the current
system.
As well as Executive-organised public meetings, local
groups are being encouraged to hold other meetings across
Scotland, to ensure everyone has the chance to offer their
opinion on this issue.
Comments from the Dumfries and Galloway children's panel
chair can be obtained by contacting George Anderson,
national chair of the Children's Panels Chairmen's Group on
01324 636624 or 07989526543.
The meeting is open to anyone who wishes to attend. If
possible however, it is requested that they phone Holyrood
Conferences on 0131 272 2161, e-mail
hearing@holyrood.com
or visit
www.holyrood.com to
book their free ticket for the event.
The review of the Children's Hearings System was
launched on April 22 by Peter Peacock and deputy minister
Euan Robson. Details of this can be found at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2004/04/SEED593f.aspx
Further information on the review, and the hearings
system itself, can be found at:
http://www.childrens-hearings.co.uk
The workload of the 33-year old system has changed
significantly over the years, with 60 per cent of cases now
dealing with care and protection issues, compared to 16 per
cent in 1976.