A change to the process of establishing grounds
Specific changes must take place to the process of establishing grounds.
Duty bearers: Scottish Government | Local Authorities | SCRA
Part of: Recommendations
The process of establishing grounds must change:
A rights-based approach to drafting
The drafting of grounds and the Statement of Facts should be reframed. It should take a rights-based approach, so families can:
- better understand why grounds are being established, and
- better recognise themselves in the drafting.
Including strengths in a Statement of Facts
Where relevant and appropriate, the Statement of Facts shouldn't only include the challenges in a child's life.
Instead, it should also include:
- their strengths, and
- the positive elements of their care.
An end to Grounds Hearings
There must be no more Grounds Hearings.
Instead, grounds must be established in a separate process, before a child and their family attend a Children’s Hearing.
Encouraging a more relational way of working
A more relational way of working should be encouraged, to:
- agree grounds, and
- confirm the Statement of Facts.
This must involve the Reporter exercising professional judgement to determine when children and families may be able to discuss grounds.