The plan identifies four key areas where the organisation will focus its efforts in the coming years. As well as children’s rights, CHS has prioritised high quality hearings, an empathetic and effective panel, and a focus on working collaboratively with partners.

The new strategy will also see the organisation explore and implement change in line with recent recommendations made by the Independent Care Review, including the reimagining of the system to ensure it better serves the needs of infants, children, young people and their families.

CHS National Convener, Elliot Jackson, says: “We are ready to play a leading role in driving sustainable change in the children’s hearing system; we recognise the depth, scale and pace of delivery required. We will keep The Promise.

“We will do so in a very inclusive way, working with children and young people, our Panel Community and our key partners, to ensure everyone is involved in shaping the road ahead.

“By focusing our Strategic Outlook on areas such as children’s rights and high quality hearings in the years to come, we will be able to equip our Panel Members with the skills and support they needed to fulfil this demanding role.”

Elliot also noted the organisation is currently focused on supporting its volunteers to deliver hearings remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.

“While we are absolutely committed to our long-term vision for a reformed hearings experience, our focus must remain on ensuring that we continue to make the right decisions in virtual hearings for infants, children and young people in these unprecedented times.”

Other key areas of work highlighted in the Strategic Outlook include: more research about the hearings system, care and child development, more face to face engagement with Panel Members alongside a new system of support for their wellbeing and working with partners to increase the influence young people have on the hearings system.

Children’s Hearings Scotland Strategic Outlook runs from 2020 – 2023; read the plan in full here.