Children’s Hearings Scotland has created a new practice guide for supporting the youngest children in hearings.

The Responding to the needs of infants, babies and very young children guide ensures volunteer Panel Members can uphold the rights of the youngest people in the Children’s Hearings System.

Understanding the infant’s voice

Themes covered in the practice guide include brain development, attachment and the impact of neglect and abuse. The guide includes a fictionalised case study, developed by Dr Leah Cronin and written from the perspective of a newborn baby.

Young children express their needs through their everyday interactions and responses. Their ‘voices’ – how they communicate whatever their age – must be taken seriously and acted upon to achieve their needs.

Supporting volunteers' continuous learning

The incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scottish law brings important scrutiny about how the hearings system fulfils the rights of infants, babies and very young children.

The number of infants and babies involved in the Children’s Hearings System is significant. At March 2025, 550 children aged three years and under were subject to a Compulsory Supervision Order – this equates to 30% of all children with compulsory measures in place. Children aged 0-3 years are also the largest group of children referred to SCRA due to lack of parental care, with over 1,100 referrals for this age group in the reporting year 2024-25. 

As babies and infants are dependent on adults, Panel Members must be equipped to uphold and progress their rights. The practice guide supports volunteers to take practical steps to make sure the voices of the youngest children inform the decision-making process.

The guide was developed by CHS in partnership with CELCIS and NHS Infant Mental Health Teams across Scotland.

‘It’s crucial that we strive to make infants visible and heard within their hearings, even if they aren’t present in the hearing room. Only that way can we ensure we are making good decisions that truly prioritise their needs.’

David Mackay, Practice and Policy Team Manager