New cash to help children’s hearings cope with antisocial behaviour measures

The Scottish executive has allocated an extra £35 million
to youth justice services to help the children’s hearing system
cope with the extra demands of dealing with antisocial behaviour
orders, writes Maggie Wood.

The Antisocial Behaviour Bill currently under consultation met
with opposition from children’s charities for its tough line
on youth offending, and has sparked fears that the hearing system,
long under-resourced, would be unable to meet the new demands.

Justice Minister Cathie Jamieson announced additional funds for
‘fast track’ children’s hearings saying that the
standards for youth justice require that every children’s
hearing operates to fast track standards by 2006.