SCOTLAND'S unique system of youth justice and child welfare is bracing for a post-lockdown spike in cases due to mental health issues and domestic abuse.

The head of the children's hearings system said the service has had to alter radically to keep pace with the new demands of the coronavirus crisis but that the achievements of members is "incredible".

Elliot Jackson, Children’s Hearings Scotland National Convener and Chief Executive, spoke as a recruitment drive to appoint 700 new members to the legal tribunal system is due to close.

He said: "From the research by the Scottish Government and the police during the pandemic, we know children are suffering from significant mental health issues.

"And we know, particularly from the police, that children and young people are in fear from a significant amount of domestic abuse going on too.

"So we know coming out of lockdown we expect to see an increase of children and young people being referred to the children's reporter."

The hearings system ordinarily sees a panel of three volunteer members work with children, their families, social workers and others involved in a child or teenager's life when they are at risk or in trouble.

When the first lockdown came into force on March 23, 2020, the hearings system moved to a virtual model that prioritised the most urgent cases.

The initial challenge was to deliver computer equipment to panel members who needed it and give training in ensuring children were still engaged and prioritised in online hearings.

It was also vital to ensure children and families were able to access and participate in virtual hearings, so a range of options has been introduced to support that.

Mr Jackson said: "We moved from what is essentially a set of face to face hearings across Scotland on to a virtual model for all hearings.

"We had to rush out kit and there were panel members using their kids', their husbands', or their wives' technology.

"We had to provide lots of new guidance about hearings and about how to engage the child and family through the screen because it's clearly different.

"The virtual platform has its inconsistencies, but what panel members have done over the last year is nothing short of incredible."

For those looking to join the children's panel during the pandemic, recruitment has adapted too.

All recruitment is occurring online, which means applicants will be interviewed online for the first time in the system's history.

It is also the first time, bar a small number of pilot projects, that care experienced young people have been involved in the selection and recruitment of new members.

Those chosen from an applicant pool expected to be around 1500 to 2000 will do all training online also.

Mr Jackson added: "There will be quite a significant support system around these individuals.

"We're quite excited about it. We road tested it and it seems to work. So for new recruits they should look forward to a really satisfactory experience but we will be evaluating it at every stage."

For existing panel members all training has also moved online. Members are expected to complete continuous learning throughout their time in the hearing system.

And Mr Jackson said a new Learning Academy website for panel members is proving popular.

He said: "From the comfort of their own home, on the bus or the train or in a break, they can log on and do a course of round about 30 minutes and begin to upskill themselves.

"If I had wanted to introduce online learning it would have taken me the best part of 18 months to two years to do it but we have achieved this in five months."

Several of the digital innovations introduced at speed have proven popular and will be added to the system as Scotland moves out of lockdown.

Feedback from young people shows there is a stigma to leaving school to attend a hearing so virtual hearings will remain in place.

It is also planned that children and young people will be able to make a video of their opinions and views to be watched by the panel ahead of the hearing.

Mr Jackson added: "It is an exciting time to join the hearings system - all of these changes are allowing us to look at hearings through a different lens."

Panel member Stephen Haggarty was asked to appear in Children's Hearings Scotland's first television advert.

The system is hoping to recruit more members from a care experienced background to ensure its volunteers reflect the young people they are helping.

Stephen and his three brothers were supported by the hearings system throughout his childhood until Stephen was adopted at the age of 12 by his "amazing mum and dad".

Three years ago the civil engineer decided to apply to join the children's panel.

The 30-year-old said: "I thought, 'I have made a bit of my life here and I want to give something back'.

"I remember what it was like going into the room with three strangers sitting at a big desk and I knew I could empathise with kids and be an example of coming out the other end.

"Being care experienced gives you an emotional advantage to relate to these kids and what they are going through."

While being a panel member involves a significant time commitment, Stephen said being passionate about helping young people makes it easy to "go the extra mile".

He said: "The feeling you get from making an impact on a kid's life outweighs anything else."

Applications for new panel members close at midnight on Monday, February 15.

To find out more about the role see www.chscotland.gov.uk