Children's panel reform by end of year

Reform of Scotland's unique children's hearing system - including abolition of the 32 local children's panels across the country - will be brought in by the end of this year.

The local panels will be replaced by a single national panel, which will in turn be supported by a new body, Children's Hearings Scotland, responsible for recruitment and training.

The Scottish Government hopes the reforms will lead to greater consistency in decision making.

Children's Minister Adam Ingram said: "These changes ensure that our volunteer panel members, the lifeblood of that system, are given the best training and support possible to raise national standards and get children's lives back on track.

"To help ensure a smooth transition from the current arrangements to the new system, both for new and existing panel members and, importantly, our children who rely on the system, I've decided that we should seek to implement the new legislation, including the replacement of the local panels with the new national panel, by December this year.

"In doing so we can be certain that implementation is right and not rushed - a key consideration given the future of vulnerable children is at stake here."

There were 42,532 youngsters referred to the children's reporter in 2009-10.