Three Board Members from Our Hearings, Our Voice visited the Scottish Parliament this week.
They were joined by four other young people from Experts by Experience group from Children’s Hearings Scotland.
Like OHOV, young people in the Experts by Experience group are helping to shape improvements to the Children’s Hearings System.
The seven young people, who all have lived experience of Children’s Hearings, met with Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise. They were given a tour of the Parliament by staff of the office of Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and they watched First Minister’s Questions.
The team shared a game of ‘questions Jenga’ with Ms Don-Innes, where each wooden block removed from the tower had a talking point to spark discussion. These ranged from light-hearted ice-breakers to important issues about improving the Hearings System.
“We gave the Minister some quite hard questions, including, in a year’s time what do you see the Children’s Panel being like, and what needs to change? We also discussed what better supports need to be in place for people leaving care and leaving the Hearings System.”
– Gemma, Expert by Experience
