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The children’s hearing system in Scotland is "fundamentally sound", according to a recent review.

But it urges the Scottish Children’s Reporter Association and the Scottish executive to take steps to ensure that the system, which deals with offending children and children in need of care, "moves with the times".

The review, carried out by Scottish Committee of the Council on Tribunals, recommends that children’s reporters improve the way they communicate with children and that hearings be held in more family-friendly accommodation. It also says discussion is needed to determine the role of the children’s reporter following the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Cathy Jamieson, minister for young people, accepted that there was room for improvement, but insisted the executive was working to address the problem. She said: "Young people who come before a hearing often have complex and troubled lives. They may be in need of care or may have committed an offence and need to face up to the consequences of their actions."

- Scottish Committee’s Special Report on Children’s Hearings is at www.council-on-tribunals.gov.uk/