Scottish Children's Reporter Administration

{{Short description|Executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government}}

{{Infobox government agency

| agency_name = Scottish Children's Reporter Administration

| agency_type = Executive non-departmental public body

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| logo = Scottish Childrens Reporter Administration logo.PNG

| logo_width = 200 px

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| formed = 1996

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| jurisdiction = Scotland

| headquarters = Ochil House, Springkerse Business Park, Stirling{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-public-bodies-directory/pages/executive-non-departmental-public-bodies/|title=National public bodies directory - Executive non-departmental public bodies|access-date=18 October 2022|publisher=Scottish Government|date=26 July 2022}}

| region_code = SCT

| coordinates =

| employees = 512 (Q1 2022)

| budget = £26.86 m (2022–23)

| minister1_name =

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| chief1_name = Neil Hunter

| chief1_position = Principal Reporter/Chief Executive

| chief2_name = Michelle Miller

| chief2_position = Chair{{cite web|url=https://www.scra.gov.uk/about-scra/our-board/|title=Our board|access-date=18 October 2022|publisher=Scottish Children's Reporter Administration}}

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| website = {{url|https://www.scra.gov.uk/}}

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The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government, with responsibility for protecting children at risk. SCRA was formed under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 and became fully operational on 1 April 1996, taking over responsibility for the existing system of Children's Reporters (see Children's Hearing).

SCRA's aim is to "provide a safety net for vulnerable children and deliver tailored solutions which meet the needs of the individuals involved, while helping to build stronger families and safer communities".{{cite web |url=http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/about_scra.cfm |title=About SCRA |publisher=Scottish Children's Reporter Administration |access-date=17 July 2014}}

Organisation

Although SCRA operates within a legislative remit, and at arm's length from government, it receives oversight and direction from its board. As a non-departmental public body, SCRA's board, although acting independently, is accountable to Scottish Ministers.{{cite web |url=http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/about_scra/scra_s_board.cfm |title=SCRA's board |publisher=Scottish Children's Reporter Administration |access-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216031329/http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/about_scra/scra_s_board.cfm |archive-date=16 December 2012 }} Management oversight is achieved by a series of Committees.{{cite web |url=http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/about_scra/committees.cfm |title=Committees |publisher=Scottish Children's Reporter Administration |access-date=17 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727015844/http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/about_scra/committees.cfm |archive-date=27 July 2014 }} Complaints are usually dealt with by SCRA, but the public can also complain to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).This will only happen after the SCRA complaints process has been exhausted.SPSO [http://www.spso.org.uk/complain/article.php?id=105 Organisations we take complaints about] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210105623/http://www.spso.org.uk/complain/article.php?id=105 |date=2007-12-10 }}

Referral mechanism

Referrals are made to SCRA about children who may be in need of legal intervention to help them address their needs and/or behaviour. The referral may be made on offence grounds and/or care and protection grounds. Most referrals are received from the police, social work departments or schools. However, parents, family members, carers or any concerned member of the public can also contact the Children's Reporter. These grounds are contained within statute namely, Section 67(2) of the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act, 2011.

Each case is assigned to a Children's Reporter employed by SCRA. The Reporter investigates the case and decides whether or not compulsory measures of supervision may be required. If, in the Reporter's opinion, such measures are required, a Hearing will be arranged. The Reporter may take other steps short of arranging a Hearing, for example arrange for some form of restorative justice.

Referral statistics

53,883 children were referred in 2005/6 and 87% of referrals came from the police. This represents a doubling in the number of referrals since the SCRA took responsibility for Children's Reporters.[http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/frequently_asked_questions.cfm SCRA Frequently Asked Questions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116140740/http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/frequently_asked_questions.cfm |date=2007-11-16 }}

In 2005, 16,470 children (33%) were referred to the Reporter for an offence and 33,379 children (67%) were referred on non-offence grounds (i.e. concern for their safety or welfare).{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/1-in-17-children-referred-to-authorities-1-725663 |title=1 in 17 children referred to authorities |work=The Scotsman |date=17 November 2006 |access-date=30 April 2017}}

In 2015–16, there were 15,329 referrals received, which represented 1.7% of all children and young people in Scotland; 2,761 of the referrals were on offence grounds.{{cite press release |url=http://www.scra.gov.uk/2016/07/scras-official-statistics-201516/ |title=SCRA's Official Statistics 2015/16 |publisher=Scottish Children's Reporter Administration |date=28 July 2016 |access-date=30 April 2017}}

Role in the Children's Hearings System

SCRA's role within the Children's Hearings System is to provide suitable accommodation for Hearings, provide information to the hearing panel and to enable the children and families to participate in Hearings.