RECIEVED A LETTER?
A Children’s hearing is serious — you’re not alone, and you don't have to be
We represent parents and children at hearings every week, and in most cases, legal aid means it costs you nothing. Call us as soon as the letter arrives — preparation before the hearing is where cases are won
THE SITUATION YOU’RE IN
A letter from the Children's reporter lands, and suddenly a panel of strangers is going to discuss your child, your parenting and your home
For most parents, it's frightening, confusing and — let's be honest — it can feel like an accusation. You may be asked to accept "grounds" you don't agree with. You may fear your child being removed, or contact being restricted.
Two things every parent should know immediately. First, the hearing system is meant to be about the child's welfare, not punishment — but the decisions it makes (supervision orders, where a child lives, who they see) are real and legally binding. Second, what happens before the hearing often matters more than what happens in the room. The grounds you accept or deny, the reports you respond to, the position you take on the day — these should never be decided on the spot without advice.
CHILDREN’S HEARINGS & PANELS
Received Children’s Hearing papers?
-
Few letters land harder than one from the Children’s Reporter — whether that’s through SCRA Dumbarton or another local office. When concerns are raised about your child’s behaviour or about your ability to care for them, the Children’s Hearing system can feel like your family’s future being decided by strangers — and in a real sense, it is. Some of the most important decisions in a family’s life are made in these hearings.
You are entitled to legal representation, and you should use it. We represent parents, step‑parents, grandparents, and children themselves at Children’s Hearings regularly, and we know how the system works from the inside.
-
The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration investigates concerns passed to it by the police, social work, schools, or health services, and decides whether to refer the case to a Children’s Panel — three trained volunteer members from the community. The child attends unless excused, along with anyone who is a relevant person, social workers, and other involved agencies.
-
Its powers are extensive. It can make a Compulsory Supervision Order, placing your child’s care under social work monitoring — and in serious cases it can decide the child should live elsewhere: with other family members, foster carers, or in residential care. Orders last only as long as necessary and must be reviewed within a year, but their effect on a family is profound.
-
Pre-Hearing Panels and relevant person status. If you’re a step-parent or grandparent playing a central role in the child’s life but without parental rights and responsibilities, you may need to be deemed a relevant person before you can even participate. We make that case for you.
Grounds of referral. The Panel proceeds on a statement of grounds — the reasons the child has been brought to the hearing. If you or the child do not accept the grounds, the case goes to the sheriff court for proof, where the sheriff determines what is actually true. This is a court process with evidence and witnesses, and it is emphatically not the stage to face unrepresented.
Appeals — with unforgiving deadlines. Panel decisions can be appealed, normally within 21 days — and in some situations, such as being refused relevant person status, within only 7 days. If you believe a decision is wrong, contact us immediately; these windows do not reopen.
-
Legal aid is generally available for Children’s Hearing proceedings, and we handle the application as part of taking on your case.
-
If hearing papers have arrived — or social work involvement is escalating towards a referral — call 01389 756785 today. The earlier we’re involved, the more we can shape what the Panel hears.
WHAT WE DO
Comprehensive representation in Children’s Hearings
-
Advise you before you respond to grounds
Accepting grounds you shouldn't can shape everything that follows; denying grounds sends the case to the Sheriff Court for proof, where you need a solicitor in any event
-
Represent parents and other relevant persons at hearings
Including where contact with your child is at stake
-
Represent children and young people
Referred to hearings, including on offence grounds
-
Appeals at the Sheriff Court
We prepare clear grounds, strong evidence, and act fast to protect your position.
-
Advise on Compulsory Supervision Orders
Conditions, reviews and variations — including getting conditions changed or orders ended
-
Act urgently
Where a Child Protection Order has been made or a child has been removed
THE NEXT STEPS
How we work
-
The timescales in this system are short. Send us the Reporter's letter and papers the day they arrive and we'll tell you exactly what the grounds mean, what your options are, and what stance protects your position.
-
Panels listen differently when a parent arrives prepared, calm and legally represented. We speak for you where it helps, and prepare you to speak for yourself where that's stronger — panels want to hear from parents, and we'll make sure they hear the right things.
-
If grounds go to proof before the Sheriff, you are in genuine court proceedings and the evidence is tested properly. This is core court work for us.
-
Hearings recur — reviews, variations, contact decisions. We help families work constructively with social work where that's the fastest route to getting an order relaxed or removed, and challenge robustly where the system has got it wrong.
WHAT IT COSTS
In most Children's Hearings cases, legal aid is available
For many hearing situations, it is not means-tested, meaning representation costs you nothing regardless of income. We'll confirm your position in the first call. Cost should never be the reason a parent walks into a hearing alone.
WHAT TO DO NOW
Essential steps to take right now
01
Don't ignore the letter
Decisions can be made in your absence.
02
Don't accept or deny grounds
Before you've had advice on what they mean.
FAQ’S
Question? We have answers
-
Removal is the exception, not the rule — most children on supervision remain at home. But where accommodation away from home is being considered, early legal representation matters enormously. Call us immediately.
-
The factual and legal basis on which the Reporter says compulsory measures are needed. If you (or the child) don't accept them, they must be proved in the Sheriff Court before a hearing can proceed to make substantive decisions.
-
Relevant persons are normally required to attend, and it is almost always in your interests to be there — represented and prepared.
-
Yes. Children and young people can be separately represented, and often should be — particularly older children and any child on offence grounds.
CONTACT US TODAY
Received a Children's Hearing letter?
Call before you respond. Legal aid is usually available
GET IN TOUCH
Let's talk about your case
A confidential first conversation, at no obligation. Tell us what's happened — we'll tell you exactly where you stand and what happens next.
CALL
HOURS
Monday-Thursday 9am - 5pm | Friday 9am - 4pm