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Chapter Seven: Conclusions
7.1 A larger than average number of responses for a Scottish Executive consultation exercise were received and the vast majority of these responses were positive and expressed support in principle for all of the proposals contained in the consultation paper. Where respondents have expressed doubts about some of the proposals it is generally from a perspective of ensuring that what is proposed is the most effective way of meeting the stated objectives. The vast majority of comments received are concerned with the detailed arrangements for implementing proposals; are seeking further clarification about specific aspects of a proposal or raise practical issues that will need to be addressed in order to achieve the desired outcomes.
7.2 This was a wide-ranging consultation that invited responses to a substantial number of detailed proposals regarding the future operation of the Children's Hearings system and the wider provision of services and support to children and young people. Many of the proposals included in the consultation paper would involve substantial changes in the way services for children are delivered and in how the Children's Hearings system operates. The implementation of these proposals would have a significant impact on the way a large number of organisations and individuals work.
7.3 The fact that the consultation covered such a wide range of issues is reflected in the scale and breadth of responses that were received. The consultation attracted a large number of responses and many of these responses were very detailed reflecting the concern of respondents that any changes that are introduced as a result of the consultation have a positive impact and improve the way that services are delivered to children and young people. The commitment of a range of organisations and individuals to ensuring that the objectives underlying the consultation are achieved in practice was clearly apparent from the detail and quality of many of the responses that were received.
7.4 One recurring theme that is evident from many of the responses is the fact that the changes that are proposed in the consultation paper will not be achieved by simply introducing new legislation, changing structures or introducing new systems and procedures. Many of the changes will require significant changes in organisational culture and individual attitudes. This is particularly the case for those proposals that will require greater integration between agencies and more joint working across organisational boundaries.
7.5 A large number of respondents make the point that many of the proposals concerning adopting a more integrated approach to the planning and provision of children's services reflect current trends. There is a concern to ensure that any proposals arising from this consultation build upon existing good practice and are integrated with other developments. They should not introduce new structures and systems that could potentially undermine the desire to achieve greater integration in the way that services for children and young people are planned and delivered.
7.6 There is also some concern expressed in many of the responses that the cumulative impact of the proposals outlined in the consultation paper could represent a fundamental change in the role of the Children's Hearings system. There is a fear that this cumulative impact may result in the system being more concerned with dealing with the behaviour of a smaller number of 'persistent offenders' whose behaviour gives particular cause for concern rather than concerning itself with the wider welfare and wellbeing of a larger group of children and young people.
7.7 There are also some strong concerns that the overall impact of the changes that are proposed could be to make the Hearings system more formal and more adversarial in nature than is currently the case.
7.8 There were a number of areas where the views expressed by the children and young people who participated in the events facilitated by Children in Scotland represented a distinctive 'voice' that did not necessarily reflect the views of the majority of other respondents. The areas where there were the clearest differences in views included attitudes to sharing information without an individual child or young persons permission, the ability of young people to choose their own 'lead professional' and attitudes to Safeguarders who were perceived as being 'just another adult'.
7.9 The understanding of the respondents of the issues involved and the commitment to make the system work for the benefit of children and young people was impressive. There is a wealth of detail in the responses that have been received and a range of positive and constructive suggestions about how the proposals can be made to work in practice. This presents the opportunity for this experience and knowledge base to be capitalised upon. The Scottish Executive may want to continue to involve all key stakeholders in future consultations and to engage them fully in developing and implementing the proposals contained in the consultation document.
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