NCJ Number
31019
Journal
British Journal of Criminology, Delinquency and Deviant Social Behaviour Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1975) Pages: 333-344
Date Published
1975
Length
12 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF THE SCOTTISH SYSTEM OF 'LAY PANEL' JUVENILE COURT INTAKE HEARINGS FOR CHILDREN UNDER SIXTEEN WHO ARE DELINQUENT OR IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION BASED ON 210 HEARINGS OF THE EDINBURGH PANEL FROM APRIL 1971 - 1973.
Abstract
A CHILDREN'S HEARING CONSISTS OF THREE MEMBERS OF THIS PANEL SITTING TOGETHER TO DISCUSS, WITH THE CHILD, THE PARENTS, AND THE SOCIAL WORKER, WHAT MEASURES OF CARE, IF ANY, ARE APPROPRIATE FOR THE CHILDREN BROUGHT BEFORE THEM. DISCUSSED ARE THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE SYSTEM, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEARINGS, PARENTAL REACTIONS, AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COURTS. STUDY FINDINGS REVEALED THAT AS A RESULT OF A SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS AND OF OTHER RESOURCES IN THE FIELD, THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING AT FULL EFFICIENCY; THAT HEARINGS ARE EXERCISING JUDGMENT AND DISCRETION IN ACCEPTING OR REJECTING ADVICE RECEIVED FROM SOCIAL WORKERS, HEADMASTERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS; AND THAT ADVERSE PARENTAL REACTION TO PARTICIPATION IN HEARINGS WAS RELATIVELY RARE. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.