New Children’s Hearings advocacy service

Date: 9th December 2020
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

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Section 122 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force on Saturday 21^st November 2020. This activated duties on chairing members of Children’s Hearings to inform children of the availability of children’s advocacy services.  

Scottish Government has responded by launching a new Children’s Hearings advocacy service, backed by £1.5 million of funding for 2020-21. The service will offer children support to have their voices heard.

A Children’s Hearings Advocacy Expert Reference Group will support the design, delivery, and implementation of this service.

• Read CELCIS’s blog on the importance of the new service for upholding children’s human rights here.
• Find out more about Scottish Government’s funding commitment here. 
• Read the relevant provision here.