Getting it Right for Every Child - Proposals for Action: Analysis of Consultation Responses

Appendix B: Topline Quantitative Data

Improving children's services

Proposal 1: Agencies should publish information for children and families about the services and support available and how it can be accessed.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	399	72.0
	Qualified yes	140	25.3
	Clear No	1	0.2
	Qualified No	2	0.4
	Un-coded	12	2.2
	Total	554	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	429	77.4
	Qualified yes	102	18.4
	Clear No	5	0.9
	Qualified No	5	0.9
	Un-coded	13	2.3
	Total	554	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	9	4.6
	Yes with suggestions	119	60.4
	Clear No	69	35.0
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	197	100.0
Proposal 2: Agencies should be under duties and responsibilities to be alert to the needs of children, to listen to them and record children's views, to identify children in need and to act to improve a child's situation.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	371	66.3
	Qualified yes	137	24.5
	Clear No	3	0.5
	Qualified No	7	1.3
	Un-coded	42	7.5
	Total	560	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	384	68.7
	Qualified yes	115	20.6
	Clear No	6	1.1
	Qualified No	8	1.4
	Un-coded	46	8.2
	Total	559	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	8	5.4
	Yes with suggestions	41	27.5
	Clear No	99	66.4
	No with comment	1	0.7
	Total	149	100.0
Proposal 3: A new duty on agencies to co-operate with each other in meeting the needs of children and to establish local co-ordination and monitoring.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	355	62.9
	Qualified yes	159	28.2
	Clear No	6	1.1
	Qualified No	10	1.8
	Un-coded	34	6.0
	Total	564	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	361	64.8
	Qualified yes	143	25.7
	Clear No	11	2.0
	Qualified No	7	1.3
	Un-coded	35	6.3
	Total	557	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	9	5.7
	Yes with suggestions	51	32.3
	Clear No	98	62.0
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	158	100.0

Improving children's services

Proposal 4: Develop a single integrated assessment, planning and recording tool.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	273	49.9
	Qualified yes	193	35.3
	Clear No	9	1.6
	Qualified No	28	5.1
	Un-coded	44	8.0
	Total	547	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	312	57.5
	Qualified yes	138	25.4
	Clear No	19	3.5
	Qualified No	29	5.3
	Un-coded	45	8.3
	Total	543	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	6	4.7
	Yes with suggestions	29	22.7
	Clear No	92	71.9
	No with comment	1	0.8
	Total	128	100.0
Proposal 5: Where a child's needs are complex an action plan must be agreed by all agencies involved and kept under review.		Count	Percantage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	280	51.3
	Qualified yes	189	34.6
	Clear No	6	1.1
	Qualified No	14	2.6
	Un-coded	57	10.4
	Total	546	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	350	65.1
	Qualified yes	109	20.3
	Clear No	10	1.9
	Qualified No	14	2.6
	Un-coded	55	10.2
	Total	538	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	4	3.1
	Yes with suggestions	40	30.5
	Clear No	87	66.4
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	131	100.0
Proposal 6: Where there is a need for co-ordinated action, a lead professional from amongst the agencies must be appointed.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	279	50.9
	Qualified yes	187	34.1
	Clear No	7	1.3
	Qualified No	16	2.9
	Un-coded	59	10.8
	Total	548	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	350	64.6
	Qualified yes	103	19.0
	Clear No	13	2.4
	Qualified No	13	2.4
	Un-coded	63	11.6
	Total	542	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	1	0.7
	Yes with suggestions	51	34.7
	Clear No	95	64.6
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	147	100.0

The Integrated Assessment, Records and Planning Framework - Specific Questions

Specific Question 1: Is there sufficient emphasis and guidance about the child's involvement and are there sections which need strengthening to make sure that the child is at the heart of the process?		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Is there sufficient emphasis and guidance about the child's involvement?	Yes without comment	59	16.4
	Yes with comment	150	41.8
	No without comment	64	17.8
	No with comment	86	24.0
	Total	359	100.0
Part 2 Are there sections which need strengthening to make sure that the child is at the heart of the process?	Yes without comment	68	24.8
	Yes with comment	38	13.9
	No without comment	143	52.2
	No with comment	25	9.1
	Total	274	100.0
Specific Question 2: How well does it do so and are there any gaps?		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 How well does it do so?	Number of responses (requires detailed coding)	379	100.0
Part 2 Are there any gaps?	Yes without comment	85	37.4
	Yes with comment	27	11.9
	No without comment	97	42.7
	No with comment	18	7.9
	Total	227	100.0

Making Children's Hearings Work

Proposal 7: A referral to the Children's Hearings system should meet two tests - significant needs and a need for compulsion.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	214	39.6
	Qualified yes	147	27.2
	Clear No	17	3.1
	Qualified No	52	9.6
	Un-coded	111	20.5
	Total	541	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	276	52.2
	Qualified yes	81	15.3
	Clear No	38	7.2
	Qualified No	31	5.9
	Un-coded	103	19.5
	Total	529	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	8	5.7
	Yes with suggestions	49	34.8
	Clear No	84	59.6
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	141	100.0
Proposal 8: The indicators of significant need will include a pattern of behaviour which gives rise to concern.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	304	56.0
	Qualified yes	128	23.6
	Clear No	6	1.1
	Qualified No	27	5.0
	Un-coded	78	14.4
	Total	543	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	367	68.5
	Qualified yes	61	11.4
	Clear No	21	3.9
	Qualified No	13	2.4
	Un-coded	74	13.8
	Total	536	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	3	2.3
	Yes with suggestions	19	14.4
	Clear No	110	83.3
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	132	100.0
Proposal 9: All agencies involved in an action plan agreed at a Hearing are required to implement it. Any plan endorsed by a Hearing as a condition of supervision can only be amended by a Hearing.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	282	50.7
	Qualified yes	177	31.8
	Clear No	3	0.5
	Qualified No	37	6.7
	Un-coded	57	10.3
	Total	556	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	343	62.4
	Qualified yes	106	19.3
	Clear No	12	2.2
	Qualified No	39	7.1
	Un-coded	50	9.1
	Total	550	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	3	1.9
	Yes with suggestions	52	33.5
	Clear No	100	64.5
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	155	100.0
Proposal 10: If the referral to the Reporter does not meet the test criteria, the Reporter will refer the case to agencies to act on the Action Plan and will be empowered to seek reports on progress and reviews as necessary.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	268	50.7
	Qualified yes	108	20.4
	Clear No	21	4.0
	Qualified No	46	8.7
	Un-coded	86	16.3
	Total	529	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	297	56.8
	Qualified yes	66	12.6
	Clear No	39	7.5
	Qualified No	33	6.3
	Un-coded	88	16.8
	Total	523	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	9	6.4
	Yes with suggestions	31	22.1
	Clear No	100	71.4
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	140	100.0
Proposal 11: Where action is considered necessary in advance of a Hearing reaching a final decision, a Hearing should make an interim supervision requirement.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	289	53.0
	Qualified yes	135	24.8
	Clear No	28	5.1
	Qualified No	41	7.5
	Un-coded	52	9.5
	Total	545	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	350	64.6
	Qualified yes	68	12.5
	Clear No	47	8.7
	Qualified No	23	4.2
	Un-coded	54	10.0
	Total	542	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	6	4.3
	Yes with suggestions	29	21.0
	Clear No	103	74.6
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	138	100.0
Proposal 12: The frequency of Review Hearings can be determined according to the child's need and the 'persistence' of the child's behaviour or needs.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	311	56.6
	Qualified yes	129	23.5
	Clear No	13	2.4
	Qualified No	30	5.5
	Un-coded	66	12.0
	Total	549	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	362	66.9
	Qualified yes	70	12.9
	Clear No	27	5.0
	Qualified No	16	3.0
	Un-coded	66	12.2
	Total	541	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	6	4.3
	Yes with suggestions	29	20.9
	Clear No	104	74.8
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	139	100.0
Proposal 13: Children, whose behaviour at school is a cause for concern, should not be taken out of school to attend Children's Hearings. There should be greater flexibility to meet the needs of children and families.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	236	42.2
	Qualified yes	183	32.7
	Clear No	28	5.0
	Qualified No	79	14.1
	Un-coded	33	5.9
	Total	559	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	249	44.9
	Qualified yes	148	26.7
	Clear No	55	9.9
	Qualified No	74	13.4
	Un-coded	28	5.1
	Total	554	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	3	1.8
	Yes with suggestions	73	43.7
	Clear No	90	53.9
	No with comment	1	0.6
	Total	167	100.0
Proposal 14: Where a Children's Hearing or other meeting is concerned that help and intervention is not leading to a positive change in a child's behaviour, a Hearing should be able to adapt its procedures as appropriate. In particular it should make sure that the child is fully aware of the concern of the hearing and the potential consequences of further such behaviour.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	97	17.5
	Qualified yes	126	22.7
	Clear No	84	15.2
	Qualified No	196	35.4
	Un-coded	51	9.2
	Total	554	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	147	26.9
	Qualified yes	69	12.6
	Clear No	178	32.6
	Qualified No	103	18.9
	Un-coded	49	9.0
	Total	546	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	9	5.8
	Yes with suggestions	69	44.2
	Clear No	77	49.4
	No with comment	1	0.6
	Total	156	100.0
Proposal 15: Children's Hearings must be satisfied that the action plans presented to them are realistic and likely to be effective and that all the available measures to control behaviour have been considered where appropriate.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	312	58.2
	Qualified yes	128	23.9
	Clear No	11	2.1
	Qualified No	37	6.9
	Un-coded	48	9.0
	Total	536	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	349	65.7
	Qualified yes	86	16.2
	Clear No	26	4.9
	Qualified No	24	4.5
	Un-coded	46	8.7
	Total	531	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	4	3.0
	Yes with suggestions	24	18.0
	Clear No	105	78.9
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	133	100.0
Proposal 16: Children's Hearings should provide information to communities about the nature of decisions made and their outcomes.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	123	22.3
	Qualified yes	218	39.6
	Clear No	59	10.7
	Qualified No	79	14.3
	Un-coded	72	13.1
	Total	551	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	222	40.8
	Qualified yes	106	19.5
	Clear No	101	18.6
	Qualified No	39	7.2
	Un-coded	76	14.0
	Total	544	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	2	1.4
	Yes with suggestions	60	42.0
	Clear No	81	56.6
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	143	100.0
Proposal 17: Procedures are to be introduced to streamline the establishment of grounds for referral where the child is too young, not sufficiently mature or not able to understand the grounds but the parents accept them.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	340	63.3
	Qualified yes	121	22.5
	Clear No	8	1.5
	Qualified No	19	3.5
	Un-coded	49	9.1
	Total	537	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	404	75.5
	Qualified yes	51	9.5
	Clear No	11	2.1
	Qualified No	16	3.0
	Un-coded	53	9.9
	Total	535	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	1	0.7
	Yes with suggestions	33	23.1
	Clear No	109	76.2
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	143	100.0
Proposal 18: Greater continuity of Panel Members from one Children's Hearing to another is to be achieved.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	215	38.6
	Qualified yes	178	32.0
	Clear No	28	5.0
	Qualified No	87	15.6
	Un-coded	49	8.8
	Total	557	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	250	45.2
	Qualified yes	129	23.3
	Clear No	73	13.2
	Qualified No	59	10.7
	Un-coded	42	7.6
	Total	553	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	2	1.4
	Yes with suggestions	41	29.5
	Clear No	96	69.1
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	139	100.0

Supporting the Children's Hearings better

Proposal 19: Place a new duty on the SCRA to ensure the provision of legal representation for children, where this is necessary, under current criteria to protect their rights.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	325	61.8
	Qualified yes	129	24.5
	Clear No	7	1.3
	Qualified No	22	4.2
	Un-coded	43	8.2
	Total	526	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	386	73.9
	Qualified yes	67	12.8
	Clear No	11	2.1
	Qualified No	16	3.1
	Un-coded	42	8.0
	Total	522	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	1	0.7
	Yes with suggestions	36	26.5
	Clear No	99	72.8
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	136	100.0
Proposal 20: To legislate to enable Children's Hearing and Reporters to withhold information provided by the child when its release may place the child's welfare at risk.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	364	66.3
	Qualified yes	127	23.1
	Clear No	6	1.1
	Qualified No	20	3.6
	Un-coded	32	5.8
	Total	549	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	427	78.3
	Qualified yes	58	10.6
	Clear No	15	2.8
	Qualified No	13	2.4
	Un-coded	32	5.9
	Total	545	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	3	2.4
	Yes with suggestions	12	9.8
	Clear No	108	87.8
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	123	100.0
Safeguarder Question: Should the role of the Safeguarder be maintained and/or available to any service which requires an independent assessment of the child's best interests?		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Seeking views on the role of the Safeguarder	Number of responses(detailed coding required)	495	100.0
Proposal 21: Amend the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to remove the requirement that Children's Panels and Children's Panel Advisory Committees be linked to local authority boundaries.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	165	31.9
	Qualified yes	134	25.9
	Clear No	59	11.4
	Qualified No	109	21.0
	Un-coded	51	9.8
	Total	518	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	225	44.4
	Qualified yes	73	14.4
	Clear No	105	20.7
	Qualified No	62	12.2
	Un-coded	42	8.3
	Total	507	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	2	1.7
	Yes with suggestions	28	23.3
	Clear No	87	72.5
	No with comment	3	2.5
	Total	120	100.0
Proposal 22: Improve and modernise the arrangements for recruiting, training, supporting and monitoring Panel Members through the establishment of either a single national body or a local authority regional structure.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	209	45.6
	Qualified yes	84	18.3
	Clear No	52	11.4
	Qualified No	56	12.2
	Un-coded	57	12.4
	Total	458	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	254	56.2
	Qualified yes	36	8.0
	Clear No	77	17.0
	Qualified No	31	6.9
	Un-coded	54	11.9
	Total	452	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	1	0.7
	Yes with suggestions	61	41.8
	Clear No	84	57.5
	No with comment	0	0
	Total	146	100.0
Proposal 22, specific question: Is a regional or national approach preferable?		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Views on whether a regional or national approach is preferable.	National	170	40.3
	Regional	116	27.5
	Other approach	136	32.2
	Total	422	100.0

Improving public confidence

Proposal 23: Agencies should keep the public and communities informed about what is being done with their concerns and help them understand that the focus is on effective action and not processing children through the Children's Hearings.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1 Do you support proposed action?	Clear yes	279	52.0
	Qualified yes	167	31.1
	Clear No	15	2.8
	Qualified No	26	4.8
	Un-coded	50	9.3
	Total	537	100.0
Part 2 Do you think proposed action will meet the stated objective?	Clear yes	369	69.2
	Qualified yes	73	13.7
	Clear No	22	4.1
	Qualified No	19	3.6
	Un-coded	50	9.4
	Total	533	100.0
Part 3 Do you think further or different measures are required?	Yes without suggestions	6	4.2
	Yes with suggestions	36	25.2
	Clear No	100	69.9
	No with comment	1	0.7
	Total	143	100.0

* Answers are un-coded where it is unclear whether or not response is in support of the proposal. Totals do not equal overall total number of responses because each quantitative analysis table only counts responses that have commented on that particular proposal.

Secondary Coding Findings

Proposal 13: Children, whose behaviour at school is a cause for concern, should not be taken out of school to attend Children's Hearings. There should be greater flexibility to meet the needs of children and families.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Impact on child of Hearings during the day	No impact on child	71	51.8
	Yes impact on child	66	48.2
	Total	137	100.0
Alternative Suggestions	Hearings at school	32	55.2
	Hearings near school	3	5.2
	Other suggestion	23	39.7
	Total	58	100.0
Impact on panel attendance of 'after hour' Hearings	Difficult for panel members to attend	236	100.0
Proposal 14: Where a Children's Hearing or other meeting is concerned that help and intervention is not leading to a positive change in a child's behaviour, a Hearing should be able to adapt its procedures as appropriate. In particular it should make sure that the child is fully aware of the concern of the Hearing and the potential consequences of further such behaviour.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Child fully aware of Hearing concerns	Disagree	15	9.5
	Agree	143	90.5
	Total	158	100.0
Formally require child to explain themselves	Disagree	57	37.0
	Agree	97	63.0
	Total	154	100.0
Invite community reps to Hearings	Disagree	226	91.1
	Agree	22	8.9
	Total	248	100.0
Invite victims to Hearings	Disagree	284	86.6
	Agree	44	13.4
	Total	328	100.0
Proposal 16: Children's Hearings should provide information to communities about the nature of decisions made and their outcomes.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Suggestions about what information should be provided to communities	General information	142	83.5
	Anonymised information	24	14.1
	Named information	4	2.4
	Total	170	100.0
Proposal 18: Greater continuity of Panel Members from one Children's Hearing to another is to be achieved.		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (557)
Concern 1: Panel Members may become over involved		109	19.6
Concern 2: Practical/logistical problems		141	25.3
Proposal 21: Amend the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to remove the requirement that Children's Panels and Children's Panel Advisory Committees be linked to local authority boundaries. Where respondent does not support proposal -		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (168)
Reason 1: Impact on Panel Members		57	33.9
Reason 2: Admin Issues		41	24.4
Reason 3: Link to community vital		141	83.9
Specific Question 2: How well does it do so and are there any gaps?		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Part 1: How well does the assessment triangle provide a common approach to working with families and children?	Very well	58	22.2
	Well	68	26.1
	Adequately	82	31.4
	Poorly	53	20.3
	Total	261	100.0
Specific Question 3: Views on the role of the Safeguarder		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Should the role of the Safeguarder be maintained and/or available to any service which requires an independent assessment of the child's best interests?	Retain role	214	47.0
	Retain role without any change	100	22.0
	Retain and revise role	105	23.1
	Remove role of Safeguarder	36	7.9
	Total	455	100.0
Proposal 22. specific question: Is a regional or national approach preferable?		Count	Percentage of Valid Cases (%)
Where respondent suggested an 'other' approach	Mixed	62	37.6
	Status quo	86	52.1
	Other	17	10.3
	Total	165	100.0

« Previous | Contents | Next »

The Scottish Government

Publications

On this page:

Getting it Right for Every Child - Proposals for Action: Analysis of Consultation Responses

Appendix B: Topline Quantitative Data