Children’s Reporter

Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA)

Resources for Children

SCRA has a lot of resources to help children understand who are the reporter and what do they do? You can learn more through SCRA’s Resources for Young People.

Scottish Children’s Reporter Explained

Focused on children and young people most at risk, SCRA’s role and purpose is to:

• Make effective decisions about a need to refer a child/young person to a Children’s Hearing
• Prepare for and participate in court proceedings where statement of grounds or Hearings findings are appealed and ensure the wellbeing of children and young people – particularly vulnerable witnesses – are protected throughout the court process
• Support Panel Members (though we are not involved in making Hearing decisions) and ensure fair process in Hearings
• Enable children, young people and families to participate in Hearings
• Disseminate information and data to influence, inform and reassure
• Provide premises for Hearings to take place; and to
• Work collaboratively with partners to support and facilitate the Getting it Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) agenda.

The role of the Reporter is to:

• Receive referrals for children and young people who are believed to require compulsory measures of supervision.
• The Reporter then decides whether the child or young person should be referred to a Children’s Hearing.
• Draft a statement of grounds and decide whether the child or young person needs to be referred to a Hearing.
• Provide administration to Children’s Hearings and keep a record of proceedings at Hearings.
• Maintain the independence of Hearings and support fair process.
• Conduct Children’s Hearings court proceedings.

How can I contact the Reporter?