ABSTRACT
Scotland’s Children’s Hearing system has, for over 40 years, attempted to deal with young people who offend as part of its integrated social work services to children and families. In many respects the approach is consistent with the requirements of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (G.A. Res 44/25, 1989) and its associated guidance, which focus on well-being as a paramount consideration, extra-judicial solutions and socio-educational rather than punitive interventions. However international standards and European rules have highlighted challenges to all jurisdictions in establishing ‘child-centred’ policy and practice for dealing with young people within and outside criminal processes, particularly those under the age of 18 years involved in serious and violent offending.
