Shake-up plea on children's justice

Hearings panel volunteers quit saying human rights abused

- RORY CASSIDY

A CAMPAIGN group has demanded a root-and-branch probe into the way Scotland's children's hearings are conducted.

The organisation - made up of former Children's Panel members and volunteers - claimed the current system is responsible for "human rights violations".

Children's Hearings Scotland Scandal alleged lives and careers are "being ruined" and that something must be done.

Spokesman Mike Brady, from Glasgow, was a Children's Panel member for 18 years but resigned last year after Children's Hearings Scotland "failed to uphold human rights" for its workers.

Volunteers Helen Cadden, who served for 19 years, and Pauline Casey also quit over the way they were allegedly treated.

The Children's Hearing System is unique to Scotland and combines welfare and justice for children and young people.

It is used as an alternative to court-based decision making and sees volunteers giving up time to make decisions for children and families at legal tribunal hearings.

Now past and present panel members are calling for change, claiming the system has caused numerous miscarriages of justice.

Helen, 52, told the Record a "secret" complaint was made against her. She said: "I was required by Children's Hearings Scotland to accept a complaint determination which I knew nothing about until after the investigation had been carried out.

"I was not allowed to see the nature of the complaint or put forward a defence.