Strong support for raising age of referral to Children's Reporter

Date: 26th March 2021
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

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Responses to a recent consultation show overwhelming support to raise the maximum age of referral to 18 for care, protection and offence cases, allowing equal opportunities for young people to get the right support at the right time.

Scottish Government received 277 responses, including feedback from sessions with children and young people. Many responses came from individuals who identified potential challenges in implementing the proposed change, such as:

• Identifying how operational partners would respond to the increasing demand for support.
• Management of the non-compliant behaviour of older young people.
• Ensuring smooth transitions between child and adult services.

Most respondents felt that if amendments were made then further action would need to be taken to ensure there is sufficient access to information and support for victims, some of whom may also be children.

• Read the consultation responses here.
• Read about the consultation here.