Commentary on Provisions Part 1 – children’s hearings system Section 10 – support for victims in the children’s hearings system: review and report
55.Section 10 imposes a duty on the Scottish Ministers to review and report on the operation of support services provided, by virtue of regulations under section 179D(1) of the 2011 Act,(40) to the persons mentioned in section 179D(2) of that Act (which principally includes those who are entitled to request information under section 179A of the 2011 Act about the action taken by the Principal Reporter and the children’s hearing in relation to a child who has committed an offence against them or otherwise acted or behaved in a way that was physically violent, sexually violent or sexually coercive, or dangerous, threatening or abusive and caused them harm). They must do so as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each two-year review period, the first of which runs from the day on which regulations under section 179D(1) first come into force. In carrying out the review, Ministers must assess the effectiveness of support services (taking particular account of the number of, and feedback from, persons provided with those services) and identify what (if any) action they should take as a result of that assessment. They must also consult with a number of persons and bodies, including the single point of contact established or specified by virtue of section 179D(3) (mentioned in paragraph 54 of these Notes) as well as victim support organisations. Each report on the provision of support services must be laid before the Scottish Parliament and published.