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Scotland's controversial pilot scheme to fast-track persistent young offenders through the children's hearing system has been scrapped after proving to be less successful at cutting reoffending than non-pilot areas, writes Derren Hayes.

A Scottish executive evaluation showed that, on average, the six fast-track pilots cut reoffending by persistent young offenders by 32 per cent, but non-pilot areas of similar size reduced it by 55 per cent.

Analysis of the costs of running services compared with the savings created from reduced reoffending showed fast-tracking cost £4,000 a case while non-pilot sites produced savings of £11,000 a case.

Under the system, young people who commit five offences are referred to the children's hearing system and their cases prioritised so they get services to address their behaviour quickly.

Since being set up in February 2003 in Dundee, East Lothian, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Scottish Borders, 300 children have been fast-tracked and it was expected to play a key role in reforms to the hearing system.

But following the disappointing findings, Scottish justice minister Cathy Jamieson announced pilots would finish in September and the extra £4.5m earmarked for them to run for another year would be redistributed to all 32 local authorities.

She told pilots: "The evaluation results, which we have explored at some length, do not offer the evidence I need to recommend continuation or expansion."

However, fast-track did achieve some targets: it processed cases quicker, speeded up decision-making, and was well received by professionals and young people.


Ruth Stark, professional officer for the British Association of Social Workers in Scotland, said the findings proved speeding up the system didn't necessarily improve outcomes.

"I hope the money will now go into developing preventative measures and early intervention to minimise children coming into the hearing system."

Bernadette Docherty, chair of the Association of Directors of Social Work's children and family committee, regretted the u-turn and called for more detailed analysis of the findings.

• Fast-track evaluation from www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/06/14103237/32394