corporate plan 2015-18 - chs | volunteer for the … children’s hearings scotland | corporate plan...

Corporate Plan 2015-18

The Children’s Panel – life changing.

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Children’s Hearings Scotland | Corporate Plan 2015–18

ContentsForeword from the Chair of the CHS Board 3

Introduction from the National Convener and CEO 5

About Children’s Hearings Scotland 6

Vision, mission and values 8

Our strategic planning process 10

Phases of delivery 11

Our Corporate Outcomes 12● Outcome one 12● Outcome two 13● Outcome three 14● Outcome four 15● Outcome five 16

National Outcomes 18

Budget and resources 20

Jargon Buster 21

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Foreword from the Chair of the CHS BoardChildren’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) is a young organisation and I am pleased to highlight some of the substantial achievements which have been made in the last three years.

Some of that period presented particular challenges for CHS as a newly established organisation taking up its functions from June 2013. Considerable progress has been made over the last year and the Board is pleased with the renewed vigour with which challenges are met.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 3,000 trained volunteers who are a part of this organisation and give their time and expertise to support vulnerable children and young people in their local communities. Without them the Children’s Hearings System could not function.

The first corporate plan established CHS as an organisation and navigated the complex transition of duties from the Scottish Government. It saw the establishment of the national Children’s Panel supported locally by 22 new Area Support Teams (ASTs) and through partnership agreements with Scotland’s local authorities. CHS has undertaken two highly successful annual recruitment campaigns with over 500 new panel members recruited each year. National panel member training is

being delivered consistently across Scotland by the new CHS Training Unit in partnership with West Lothian College, with new panel members receiving an SQA accredited professional development award.

The Board looks forward to the next three years covered in this new corporate plan – embedding new ways of working and continuing to develop in order to ensure our contribution to improving the lives of vulnerable children in Scotland is as strong as possible.

Garry Coutts

Chair, CHS Board

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Introduction from the National Convener and CEOOur corporate plan sets out five outcomes for CHS. Each of these outcomes is underpinned by key objectives, and measures of success, set out in our annual business plans.

The CHS National Team comprises 21 staff. We will achieve our objectives only with the help and support of others in the CHS Community and with the co-operation and support of our partners.

The purpose of a children’s hearing is to take good quality decisions, based on evidence and the views of children and young people, which supports improving wellbeing for children and young people. Our task is to deliver on the prioritised objectives and ensure that the organisation and the volunteers in the system are consistently well placed to support the children and young people who are referred in to and through the system.

Our first corporate plan reflected the establishment phase of the organisation. This new plan sets out our vision for building on that foundation and growing as a national organisation. As we move forward

we must develop and grow as one team, encompassing our panel and Area Support Team members, CHS National Team and CHS Training Unit staff along with support from local authority Clerks.

Boyd McAdam National Convener and CEO, CHS


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About Children’s Hearings ScotlandThe CHS Community includes close to three thousand people and comprises a variety of different roles. Our aim is to work together to improve outcomes for those children and young people who come to a children’s hearing.

Panel members The national Children’s Panel is the largest tribunal in Scotland, comprising 2,500 panel members. Panel members are volunteers from local communities across Scotland who are recruited and trained to make decisions to help the lives of vulnerable children and young people attending children’s hearings. Panel members commit to making themselves available at least once a month to prepare for and sit on a three hour hearing session.

Area Support Teams (ASTs) There are 22 ASTs across Scotland. AST members are also volunteers from local communities, recruited to support panel members in their area and carry out functions on behalf of the National Convener. Each AST is managed by a volunteer Area Convener who is in turn accountable to the National Convener. There are approximately 400 AST members across Scotland. In addition, each AST is supported by a Clerk who is employed by the local authority.

2,500 CHS Panel members

400 CHS AST members

22 CHS National Team

6 CHS Board members

National Convener and CEO Boyd McAdam


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The CHS Training Unit The CHS Training Unit is run in partnership with West Lothian College. The CHS Training Unit is setup to deliver consistent, high quality training to new and existing panel and AST members from its four satellite centres based in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

CHS National Team As a public body established by the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, CHS supports the delivery of National Convener functions related to the recruitment, selection, training, retention and support of Children’s Panel members. We have a staff team of 21 with both permanent and temporary staff, which includes the National Convener/Chief Executive and a senior management team.

CHS Board We have a Board comprising six members, which sets strategic direction and provides governance and challenge to CHS. Through the Board, CHS is accountable to Scottish Ministers.


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

MissionOur 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.

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Child centred

Making sure everything we do is in the best interests of children and young people.

Respectful

Treating children, young people, their families, 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 to all; that we provide a consistent level of service to all.

Creative

Considering innovative and imaginative ways of approaching the issues we face in the work we do.

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 information and being accountable for our actions and decisions.

Values

The Children’s Panel – life changing.


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Our strategic planning processBoard meet to consider existing plan

and outline new direction1Area Support Team workshop to discuss CHS corporate outcomes2

Ministerial consideration and approval8

National consultation with the whole of the CHS Community and partner organisations3

Consultation with children and young people across Scotland4

Consultation analysis 5CHS National team meet and refine

outcomes based on feedback6CHS Board input and

approve strategic outcomes7


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Phases of deliveryOur strategic outcomes set out the key priorities and objectives for the next three years. These are high level outcomes, each of which require detailed planning and implementation along with development of robust measures of success. These will be detailed in annual business plans. Development over this period is phased across three years under broad headings. The following themes set out how we will phase our work over the next three years.

Year 1Consolidate and enhance

In year one we will consolidate our business processes and systems, and

strengthen our relationship with panel and AST members. We will develop measures of success and strengthen

our use of evidence in decision making. Together with our partners we will

prepare for the introduction of digital technology in the Children’s Hearings

System.

Year 3

Demonstrate impact

In year three we will embed assurance mechanisms and test

success of improved practice and decision making. We will

continue to train panel and AST members in the use

of technology and respond to the emerging digital strategy for the Children’s Hearings System.

Year 2Innovate

In year two we will develop assurance mechanisms and embed the use of evidence in decision making, both at an organisation level and within children’s hearings, to ensure consistently good decisions are made which

improve outcomes for children and young people across Scotland. We will collaborate

further with SCRA and other partners to develop and test new digital technologies. We will continue to train

panel and AST members in the use of technology.


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Outcome one Hearings are centred around the child or young person and their needs.

How will we know if we are successful?● positive survey responses from

children and young people

● panel members are appropriately skilled

● observations of panel member practice

This is about making sure that children and young people and their needs are the focus of all hearings.

Panel members actively seek the views of the child or young person and encourage their participation within the hearing to inform their decision making. It means the experience of attending a hearing across Scotland is of the same high standard.

Key objectives

● children and young people are active participants in their hearing

● children and young people feel their participation is important

● children and young people understand why decisions have been made

● panel members are skilled in interacting with children and young people and encouraging them to contribute


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How will we know if we are successful?● evidence of consultation with

young people involved in the Children’s Hearings System

● actions taken as a result of feedback

● successful appointments where children and young people have participated

Outcome two Our activities are informed by the views and experiences of children and young people.

This is about making sure everything we do keeps children and young people central to our work.

We will work closely with children and young people who have experience of the Children’s Hearings System to make sure they influence the decisions we take.

Key objectives

● a participation framework for children and young people is embedded throughout the CHS Community

● participation of children and young people involved with the Children’s Hearings System informs policy and practice

● the views of children and young people inform the recruitment, selection and on-going training of panel members

● the young workforce is developed by providing children and young people with meaningful opportunities to give their views in ways which contribute to them becoming work ready and which contributes to the Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy

● support the Scottish Government’s advocacy approach – ensure panel members are informed and able to respond to the advocacy approach


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Outcome threeHigh quality decisions for children and young people referred to a children’s hearing are made consistently across Scotland.

How will we know if we are successful?● national consistency in panel

practice observations

● reduction in the number of appeals which are upheld due to poor decision making

● establishment of national assurance methods and improvements in consistency

● panel members learn from appeals which have been upheld

● evaluation of training

● panel member survey

This means the decision making process is robust and consistent and contributes to improving wellbeing outcomes and supporting the needs of children and young people.

Key objectives

● panel members receive high quality practice information and training, informed by research and analysis

● panel member observation and feedback is consistent across Scotland

● we have national assurance mechanisms which maintain and improve standards

● decision making in children’s hearings is evidence based and contributes to improving wellbeing outcomes and supporting the needs of children and young people

● the feedback loop provides panel members with information about the implementation of compulsory supervision orders in their local area and nationally


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How will we know if we are successful?● improving feedback from panel

member engagement surveys

● improving retention rates of panel and AST members

● AST members feel they have the tools and support to help them carry out their roles

● % first time pass rate of assessment on National training

Outcome fourMembers of the CHS Community feel valued, and are supported and well trained to carry out their role.

This means panel and Area Support Team (AST) members feel valued and supported, both locally and nationally, to carry out their role.

Panel and AST members are well trained and engage in reflective practice to maintain and continually improve their skills.

Key objectives

● panel and AST members will have the skills to carry out their role

● panel members have digital skills to respond to the use of technology in the Children’s Hearings System

● wellbeing and support mechanisms are embedded across the CHS community

● Area Support Teams have the tools, training and skills to provide support locally

● Area Support Teams are empowered to provide high quality local support

● Children’s Hearing Scotland is recognised as a good organisation to volunteer with


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Outcome fiveChildren’s Hearings Scotland is an effective and supportive organisation locally and nationally.

This means having effective support mechanisms in place at a local and national level for volunteers and staff.

Children’s Hearings Scotland will act as a national champion for our volunteers, the Children’s Hearings System and the children and young people who are referred.

Key objectives

● we create and maintain good working relationships with partner organisations to promote improvement in the Children’s Hearings System and better outcomes for children and young people, with a particular focus on CHIP (Children’s Hearings Improvement Partnership) led by the Scottish Government

● we work with our partners to increase public awareness of the Children’s Hearings System particularly for children, young people and employers

● we work with our partners to support effective use of digital technology within the Children’s Hearings System

● Children’s Hearings Scotland has robust and effective mechanisms in place for dealing with complaints when they arise

● Children’s Hearings Scotland staff are well trained and effective in their roles

● Children’s Hearings Scotland’s corporate functions and communication are efficient and effective

● effective governance and support arrangements are in place across the CHS community

● we work towards equal gender representation on the CHS board and support ‘50:50 by 2020’

● the wellbeing of children and young people will be promoted and supported through our Corporate Parenting responsibilities


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How will we know if we are successful?● we have strong relationships with

partners

● there is an increased awareness of the Children’s Hearings System

● employers and business forums engage with Children’s Hearings Scotland

● digital technology is embedded across the Children’s Hearings System

● positive survey responses from staff

● positive external audit


National OutcomesOur corporate plan contributes to the Scottish Government’s national outcomes.

We share Scotland’s vision for all children and young people to be safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. As a non-departmental public body (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 seven national outcomes in the government’s National Performance Framework.

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Scottish Government Outcomes How we contribute

Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people’s needs.

The views of children and young people who experience the Children’s Hearings System inform the policy and practice decisions we take. We regularly assess our performance and the quality of our services and take action to continually improve.

We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk.

Panel members take decisions in the best interest of children and young people. Panel members are well trained to carry out their role. We work to ensure decision making is of a high standard and consistent across Scotland and deliver improved outcomes for children and young people.

Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed.

We support panel members to make decisions based on evidence and with minimum delay to ensure very young children are safe and settled as soon as possible.

We live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger.

Panel members make decisions which support children and young people who are offending, are at risk of offending or have been offended against.

We are better educated, more skilled and more successful, renowned for our research and innovation.

We provide support, training and volunteering experiences to over 3,000 people across Scotland that develop practical and personal skills which volunteers carry forward to their personal and working lives. We work with partners in the Children’s Hearings System to develop research to inform and support panel member practice.

Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

We work to ensure our panel members create an environment where young people are encouraged and supported to contribute their views and are active participants in their hearing. The views of children and young people inform policy and practice decisions we take and the recruitment, selection and on-going training of panel members.

We have strong, resilient and supportive communities where people take responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others.

Panel and AST members are volunteers drawn from the local communities they serve. The Children’s Hearings System empowers local communities by promoting local decision making about the welfare of children and young people; involving children, young people and their families in the decision making process, and local communities and services in the implementation of those decisions.


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Budget and resourcesCHS has been allocated revenue grant in aid of £3.7m for 2015/16.

It is assumed for planning purposes that grant in aid will remain at the 2015/16 level for 2016/17 and 2017/18. The Financial Plan will be updated following the outcome of the Scottish Spending Review in autumn 2015.

2015/16£3.7m

2017/18£3.7m

2018/19£3.7m

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

57% – Direct Support for Panel

8% – ICT Costs

4% – Corporate Costs

2% – Property Costs

2% – Board Costs

28% – Staff Costs

£000

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Jargon BusterArea Support Teams (ASTs): The ASTs are a team of volunteers who support and manage panel members in their local area supported by a clerk who is a local authority employee.

Assurance mechanisms: methods for making sure that processes are followed and standards are met so quality and consistency can be assessed.

CHS Community: The CHS Community encompasses panel members, AST members and national team staff.

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

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 needed and whether a compulsory supervision order is required.

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.

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 for the child or young person is responsible for looking after them. The CSO might have conditions attached, such as where the child or young person is going to live, for example with foster carers or in residential care.

Feedback loop: this is the name given to section 181 of the 2011 Act. This section places a duty on the National Convener to produce a report every year about the implementation of CSOs by local authorities.

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

Wellbeing: The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 introduces a statutory definition of a child’s Wellbeing. “Wellbeing” is defined in the Act using the SHANARRI indicators: safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.

http://www.scra.gov.uk/children_s_hearings_system/working_in_partnership_2/chip.cfm

This publication has not been printed to save paper. However, if you require a printed copy or a copy in an alternative format and/or language, please contact us to discuss your needs.

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

t: 0131 244 3696

www.chscotland.gov.uk The Children’s Panel – life changing.

http://www.chscotland.gov.uk

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