The Scottish Government are currently consulting with the public over the prospect of raising the age of referral to the children’s hearing system. You can find the consultation – which closes on 7th October – here.

This has the potential to have significant implications for children aged 16 or 17 who are exposed to a range of risks and needs including child protection issues, coming into conflict with the law, mental ill-health, homelessness, sexual exploitation and trafficking.

In order to hear the views of young people aged 16-25, we are organising an open Zoom where you can come along, hear about potential changes, ask any questions that you might have and tell us what you think. The session has been co-designed with young people form the Youth Justice Voices project.

Sign up now and make sure you are heard.

Other options are available for younger children, or for those who cannot attend on that date. Please see the resources available here or contact Ruth to discuss other ways to contribute to this discussion.

This event is being organised by Youth Justice Voices, which is a joint collaboration between the Children’s and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and the Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf), funded by the Life Changes Trust.

Set up in April 2019 to amplify the voices of young people aged 16-25 with experience of the care and justice systems, this youth justice advisory group is using creative ways to enable young people to be heard in the justice system, and explore and share their experiences with policymakers, managers, corporate parents and the Scottish Government.