corporate plan 2012-15

Corporate Plan 2012-15

The Children’s Panel

– Life Changing.

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ContentsForeword from the CHS Chair 3Reform of the Children’s Hearings System 4Vision, mission and values 6Our corporate planning process 7Outcome one 9Outcome two 10Outcome three 12Outcome four 13National outcomes 14Budget and resources 15Jargon buster 16

Year 1Transition

and establish

Year 2Influence

and innovate

Year 3Reflect and

improve

Key Themes

Children’s Hearings Scotland | Corporate Plan 2012–15

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ContentsForeword from the CHS Chair 3Reform of the Children’s Hearings System 4Vision, mission and values 6Our corporate planning process 7Outcome one 9Outcome two 10Outcome three 12Outcome four 13National outcomes 14Budget and resources 15Jargon buster 16


Looking ahead, CHS is committed to working closely with all our partners, including children and young people, panel members, those who support panel members, local authorities and the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA), to deliver this plan. We will actively listen to the views and experiences of our partners and this will shape how we implement the plan.

The themes over the three years of this plan revolve around the transition of duties from the Scottish Government and establishing CHS in year one, using our influence with partners to implement innovative approaches to modernising the Children’s Hearings System in year two and reflecting on our progress and driving forward improvements in year three.

Foreword from the Chair

We will support and represent the 3,000 or so dedicated individuals, including panel members, who devote their time to the system and we will ensure consistent levels of panel member training and decision making across Scotland.

CHS welcomes the Scottish Government’s decision to implement the 2011 Act in the second quarter of 2013. The activities contained in this plan reflect this timetable.

The priorities for CHS over the next three years are outlined in this plan, in the form of outcomes. The plan also identifies what CHS will do to achieve these outcomes. Much of the activity for CHS in 2012/13 – establishing the national panel and Area Support Teams (ASTs) and setting up the new organisation – is laid out in the 2011 Act.

I am delighted to present the first corporate plan for Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS). CHS has been established under the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (the 2011 Act), as part of the modernisation agenda for the Children’s Hearings System.

There are already many examples of good working practices and processes in relation to the children’s panel and, rest assured, CHS is not looking to make change for change’s sake. CHS will embrace and support current best practice whilst implementing improvements but still adhering to the Kilbrandon principles.

We look forward to working with all our partners to improve the outcomes and experiences for the children and young people in Scotland who may be at risk.

Craig Spence Chair, CHS Board

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Background

The ethos of the Children’s Hearings System was established by the Kilbrandon report of 1964, which found that children and young people who offend and those who require care and protection often had common needs.

The report considered that the existing juvenile courts were not suitable for dealing with these problems, because they had to combine the characteristics of a criminal court with an agency making decisions on welfare. It recommended that these functions were separated, with facts still being determined in court and decisions about the welfare of the child being the responsibility of the children’s hearing.

For nearly half a century, panel members have been making decisions about the best interests and welfare of children and young people in need of protection, help and support at children’s hearings. Currently over 3,000 individuals dedicate their time to the system, sitting on hearings, or acting as Children’s Panel Advisory Committee (CPAC) members, to ensure that panel members in their local area are supported and managed effectively.

Reform of the Children’s Hearings SystemThe Children’s Hearings System is Scotland’s unique, integrated approach to child care and justice.

The Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011The purpose of the 2011 Act is to strengthen and modernise the Children’s Hearings System and bring into one place most of the children’s hearings related legislation, securing better outcomes for children and young people. It introduces significant changes to the way in which panel members are recruited, inducted, trained, supported, assessed and re-appointed. However, the ethos of the system and role of the three panel members, who sit on each hearing to consider the best interests of the child or young person before them, will not change.

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The 2011 Act...● Creates the role of the National Convener to act as a

figurehead for panel members and ensure they are consistently supported to a high standard.

● Creates a dedicated national body, Children’s Hearings Scotland, to support the delivery of National Convener functions associated with the recruitment, selection, training, retention and support of panel members. This will result in panel members being better equipped to determine the best possible outcomes for children and young people in hearings, no matter where in Scotland they live. CHS will employ around 12 members of staff, while its Board, which will provide governance and challenge, comprises five members, including the Chair.

● Empowers the National Convener to establish ASTs to be responsible for managing and supporting the national panel at local level.

● Empowers the National Convener to establish a national children’s panel.

● Establishes a national safeguarder panel.

These changes are driven by the desire to build on the best aspects of the current arrangements. At the same time, the modernisation of the Children’s Hearings System will make sure that all hearings comply with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the voice and experience of the child is at the centre, whilst the rights of others are also respected.

Putting children and young people at the centre of the Children’s Hearings SystemThe 2011 Act strengthens and promotes the rights of children and young people by:

● Giving children and young people the right to advocacy at the hearing.

● Seeking better consistency of information and support for children and young people.

● Making it a duty for the chair of the hearing to ask the child or young person if the reports provided to the hearing reflect their views.

● Involving children and young people in the appointment of the National Convener.

● Expecting that children and young people will influence the training that is undertaken by panel members.

● Including provisions which amend the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, to ensure that offence grounds accepted or established in children’s hearings are no longer classed as a “conviction”, but as an “alternative to prosecution”.

● Enabling panel members to instruct the National Convenerto challenge local authorities, where the authority has not implemented a compulsory supervision order made by a hearing.

● Providing the hearing with the power to withhold information from a child when it considers that its release to the child would place their welfare at risk.


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We will strive for excellence in everything we do.

Vision, mission and values

Our vision is of a Children’s Hearings System where everyone works together, making sure that all children and young people are heard, respected, valued, cared for and protected.

Child centred – making sure everything we do is in the best interests of children and young people.

Respectful – treating children, young people, their families, panel and AST members, partners and each other with care and consideration.

Fair – making sure that everyone is treated with dignity and according to their individual needs; that our information and services are accessible and that we provide a consistent level of service to all.

Creative – considering innovative and imaginative ways of approaching the issues we face at work.

Challenging – not being complacent, but questioning ourselves and others to help us improve.

Open – listening, responding to and learning from feedback; acting honestly; ensuring processes are transparent; sharing performance data and being accountable for our actions and decisions.

Our mission is to improve outcomes and experiences for children and young people in Scotland who may be at risk. We will do this by supporting the children’s panel, working with partners and using our influence to drive improvements across the Children’s Hearings System.

Our values describe how we will act in every aspect of our work:


Vision Values

Mission

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We will measure how successful we are in achieving these outcomes through key performance indicators and we will publish regular performance updates on our website, www.chscotland.gov.uk. The key performance indicators contained within this plan are interim. We will review and develop these indicators to make sure that they provide an accurate picture of the progress we are making towards delivering our outcomes.

This diagram shows how we have established our outcomes and corporate activities. A number of different inputs were considered in the development of the plan, for example the 2011 Act and our partners’ strategic priorities and key policy initiatives for children and young people. When the plan is implemented, we will monitor and report on our progress towards achieving it. On a yearly basis, we will review the plan in consultation with our partners to make any necessary revisions.

Our corporate planning processOur corporate plan sets out four outcomes for CHS. Each of these outcomes is underpinned by key activities which we will carry out over the next three years. We will also produce yearly business plans which will outline in more detail what we will do to deliver the corporate plan.

Vision, mission and values

Corporate plan containing strategic outcomes and activities

Business plan containing operational activities for the year

Individual objective setting and appraisals

Engagement with stakeholders

Our external environment

Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011

Our partners’ strategic priorities

Framework documents

National Performance Framework

National standards

Scottish Government initiatives for children and young people

Childrens’ Hearings Scotland | Corporate Plan 2012–15

Outcomes

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Outcome one ActivitiesWhen will we do this?

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Make sure that for panel and AST members, children and young people influence:i) the content of trainingii) the process of practice observation, feedback and reviewiii) the recruitmentWork with partners to build a participation and engagement framework for children and young peopleWork with SCRA to develop a communications toolkit to help panel members ensure that hearings are centred on children and young people

● % of children and young people surveyed who feel listened to, that their views are taken into account and that they were treated with respect

● % of CHS projects that involve children and young people

● % of panel members who confirm that children and young people have been informed of their rights


How will we measure our success?

Hearings are centred around the child or young person where their rights and those of their families are respected and upheld.

This is about making sure that everything we do keeps the children and young people involved with the Children’s Hearings System as the central focus of our work.

It is also about making sure that panel members know about and respect the rights of everyone at the hearing, that each hearing is fair and everyone is treated with respect. We will actively seek the views, opinions and experiences of children and young people and they will inform how we approach each part of this plan. We will work closely with panel members, the ASTs and training providers to make sure that children and young people influence the national training curriculum and the way in which the training is delivered. We will work with SCRA and other partners to produce tools to assist panel members to be more child and young person centred in their practice.

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Outcome two


● Positive feedback from panel member surveys indicating that they feel valued, respected and supported

● Reduction in the turnover of panel members

● Reduction in the number of appeals upheld due to the standard of written reasons for decisions made

● Reduction in non-disclosure breaches by panel members

● Number of training opportunities offered and attendance at training

● % of panel members who are paid their expenses on time

● % of panel members with positive outcomes from practice reviews

How will we measure our success?Panel members feel valued,

respected, supported and well trained to make and record consistent, sound decisions in the best interests of children and young people.

This is about the core work of our organisation.

For the first time, panel members and the teams of paid and unpaid people who support them at local level, will be represented, supported and managed by an independent body. We will make sure that the national standards, systems and processes which we put in place build on current best practice and lead to improved outcomes and experiences for children, young people and their families. This will lead to greater fairness and consistency for panel members and those supporting them in their work.

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ActivitiesWhen will we do this?

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Establish the new AST structure and operating arrangements

Implement the national standards and evaluate their effectiveness

Establish the national children’s panel

Create a national curriculum for panel member and AST pre-service, core and refresher training

Commission and contract a national training provision for panel members and ASTs

Develop and implement a new system for managing panel member expenses

Put in place systems and resources for panel members requiring independent legal and procedural advice in children’s hearingsPlan and deliver a seamless transition of duties and functions from the Scottish Government to CHS, which recognises current best practicePlan and implement a reporting system for panel members to raise potential breaches of duty by a local authority in relation to a compulsory supervision orderPromote the role and contribution of panel members through the development of communications, engagement, participation and influencing strategiesDevelop and implement a strategy to engage the employers of current and prospective panel members

Introduce a framework for quality assuring panel member practice in hearings

Develop and implement a recruitment and retention strategy for panel members

Undertake a national panel member recruitment campaign

Establish AST and panel member reference groups to drive forward improvement



Outcome threeOutcomes for children and young people in the Children’s Hearings System are improved by working together with partners in a whole systems approach.

This is about Getting it right for every child, ensuring that we work with partners across all services to improve the outcomes for children and young people. We will work with partners to agree common outcome measures for the Children’s Hearing System. With our partners we will undertake research to support a joint improvement programme and we will ensure that the Children’s Hearings System has a national voice and a consistent message.


Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Liaise with partners to introduce an approach for gathering, analysing and reporting information about the implementation of compulsory supervision orders and their impact for children and young people in the hearings systemCarry out joint improvement programmes with SCRA and the Children’s Hearings Improvement Partnership (CHIP)Inform national policy initiatives within the children’s services community Work with partners to identify common outcomes for the Children’s Hearings System and build a suite of performance indicators and measuresDevelop a partnership and engagement model at strategic and AST levels Raising the profile of the Children’s Hearings System and promoting the role of CHS and the National ConvenerEstablish a collaborative research programme with SCRA

● Number of joint projects with partners● % positive partnership survey results● Number of key consultations responded to● Reduction in number of continued hearings


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Outcome fourCHS is an effective, efficient and enabling organisation that meets the needs of its stakeholders.

This is about CHS creating and establishing a new and learning organisation. We will strive to demonstrate leadership and good governance and to develop a culture of efficiency and high performance. We will deliver value for money and efficiency through excellent management of resources. We will measure and report on how we are doing and challenge ourselves to do better. We will engage with our stakeholders to ask how we are doing and make sure we are meeting their needs.


Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Implement the infrastructure required to establish CHS as a fully functioning Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB)

Put in place and continuously review a performance management and reporting framework Develop and implement a plan that enables CHS to communicate and engage effectively with our wide range of stakeholdersDevelop a people strategy for CHS staff

Build a sustainable governance and accountability framework

Develop and implement an effective and accessible complaints procedure across CHS, the national panel and ASTs Establish an information management framework

Introduce a CHS quality assurance framework

Use technology to improve the effectiveness of the national children’s panel and CHSComply with the Scottish Government’s requirements on public bodies from the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009

● Number of breaches of information related legislation ● % of CHS staff training needs met ● Positive staff, AST and panel member satisfaction survey results● % audit actions completed ● % communications sent by email● Number of upheld complaints


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National outcomes

The overall purpose for Scottish Government

Strategic objectives

Scotland’s vision for children and young people

Scottish Government national outcomes which

CHS will contribute to

Vision

Mission

Outcomes

To focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunitites for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth

HealthierWealthier and fairer Smarter Safer and stronger Greener

Our public services are high quality,

continually improving, efficient and

responsive to local people’s needs

We have improved the life chances

for children, young people and families

at risk

Our children have the best start in life

and are ready to succeed

We live our lives safe from crime,

disorder and danger

We have strong, resilient and supportive

communities where people take

responsibility for their own actions and how

they affect others

Our young people are successful

learners, confident individuals, effective

contributors and responsible citizens

Our vision is of a Children’s Hearings System where everyone works together, making sure that all children and young people are heard, respected, valued, cared for and protected

Our mission is to improve outcomes and experiences for children and young people in Scotland who may be at risk. We will do this by supporting the children’s panel, working with partners and using our influence to drive improvements across the Children’s Hearings System

Hearings are centred around the child or young

person where their rights and those of their families are

respected and upheld

Panel members feel valued, respected, supported and well

trained to make and record consistent, sound decisions

in the best interests of children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people in the Children’s

Hearings System are improved by working together with partners in

a whole systems approach

CHS is an effective, efficient, enabling

organisation that meets the needs of its stakeholders

Healthy Achieving Nurtured Active Respected Responsible IncludedSafe

Scottish Government

Children’s Hearings Scotland

How our corporate plan will contribute to the Scottish Government’s national outcomes

As a NDPB, CHS plays a role in delivering the Scottish Government’s overall purpose, strategic objectives and national outcomes. The outcomes and activities set out in this plan are aligned to six national outcomes in the National Performance Framework. We also share Scotland’s vision for all children and young people to be safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.

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Budget and resources CHS has been allocated revenue grant in aid of £3m, £3.95m and £3.71m for the years 2012-15.

The following shows how the grant in aid will be allocated.

Children,young people

and their families

Panel members (2700)

AST

mem

bers (300)

Minister for Children & Young People

CHS Board (5

)

CHS staff and National Convener (11)

2012/13£3m

2013/14£3.95m

2014/15£3.71m

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

Travel

Property

Board

Other operating expenses

Staff

Direct support for panel and AST

£000

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Jargon buster An explanation of some of the words that we have used in our corporate plan.

Area Support Teams (ASTs): Under the 2011 Act, ASTs will replace the current Children’s Panel Advisory Committees. The ASTs are a team of people including paid staff and unpaid volunteers who support and manage panel members in their local area.

Children’s hearing: A hearing consists of three lay tribunal members called panel members, who are trained volunteers from the local community. The hearing listens to the child or young person’s circumstances and views and takes these into account as well as those of the family and all the information that has been provided by, for example, social workers. The hearing then makes a decision about what support and help is required, and if the hearing makes a compulsory supervision order.

Children’s Hearings Improvement Partnership (CHIP): This national network of professionals, individuals and agency representatives meets regularly as the CHIP

group to work in partnership with the aim of improving outcomes and experiences for children and young people across the Children’s Hearings System. To find out more, visit SCRA’s website, www.scra.gov.uk.

Children’s Hearings System: The Children’s Hearing System is the care and justice system for Scotland’s children and young people.

Children’s Reporters: The trained professionals who are responsible for investigating each referral made to them and deciding whether the child or young person may be in need of compulsory supervision. If the Reporter finds that this is the case, he or she will arrange a children’s hearing.

Compulsory supervision order (CSO): Under the 2011 Act, a CSO is an order that the hearing can make which means that the local authority is responsible for looking after the child or young person. The CSO will have

conditions attached, such as where the child or young person is going to live, for example with foster carers or in residential care.

Framework: We use this word to describe the structures and guidance we have put in place to make sure that everyone knows what their job is.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): We use the term KPI to describe a way of measuring how well we are doing to meet our goals.

National standards: These are a set of eight standards to make sure that panel members, Area Support Teams, CHS staff and Board members are all clear about what is expected of them in their different roles.

Outcomes: We use this word to describe what we want to happen and what should get better if we meet our goals.

Children’s Hearings Scotland Area 2/1/1 Ladywell House Ladywell Road Edinburgh EH12 7TB

t: 0131 244 3696f: 0131 244 4745

www.chscotland.gov.uk

Corporate Plan 2012-15

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The Children’s Panel – life changing.

corporate plan 2012-15

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