One in twenty children needs protection as hearings soar to record high

RECORD numbers of Scottish youngsters are being identified as at serious risk of harm according to a new report which reveals the level of Children's Hearings has reached a new high.

Figures issued by the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) showed that a total of 43,614 Children's Hearings took place in 2009 to 2010 - a rise of 1.7 per cent from the previous year and the highest number since the system began.

Netta Maciver, chief executive of the SCRA, said a growing number of small children were in a situation severe enough that compulsory measures needed to be taken - such as requiring a social worker to help a family or taking the child into secure accommodation.

The total number of children of all ages in that situation reached a record of 13,829.

However, the report revealed that figures for the number of children referred - cases which may or may not include a hearing - dropped by 9.8 per cent but still accounted for almost five per cent of Scotland's children.

Almost all of the youngsters were referred for their own care or protection, either because they were victims of offences such as cruelty, or because of a lack of parental care.

"The aim of the Children's Hearings system is to protect our most vulnerable children and young people who require compulsory measures of supervision," said Ms Maciver.

"Whilst we welcome that increasing numbers of children are receiving more effective early intervention, there continues to be a growing number of children, in particular, very young children, who require compulsory measures of intervention."

But children's charities called for higher levels of early intervention, which they said would reduce the need for hearings.

Alison Todd, director of children and family services at Children 1st, said: "The Children's Hearing system has proven to be effective and welcome its approach as it puts the welfare of the child or young person at the heart of the process.

"However, a Children's Hearing often takes place when a situation has reached a crisis point.

"We would like to see improved resources in early intervention and prevention so that the child receives the help they need at the earliest possible stage before a situation escalates."

SCRA chair Carole Wilkinson welcomed the drop in the number of referrals.

"These trends are welcome, and reflect the changes in referral practice among our partners," she said.

Youngsters are referred to the Children's Panel if they are considered to be beyond the control of parents or carers, are at risk of moral danger or are likely to suffer serious harm to health or development through lack of care.They can also be called to a hearing if they have been the victim of - or have committed - an offence, are misusing drugs or alcohol, have been missing school or are subject to an antisocial behaviour order.

A total of 10,012 children were referred to the Reporter because they had committed an offence - with these figures including 3,215 youngsters who were referred on care and protection and offending grounds.

There was also a small rise in the number of child protection orders that were issued, with this increasing from 661 in 2008 to 2009 to 665 last year - including 320 youngsters aged under two.

These are only taken when emergency action is believed to be needed to protect a child, with a sheriff having to grant the order. They usually result in children being taken into care.