Article 6 Duties of chairing member of a pre-hearing panel or children’s hearing

(1)

The chairing member of the children’s hearing or pre-hearing panel must—

(a)

take reasonable steps to ensure that the child and each relevant person are able to—

(i)

understand the proceedings; and

(ii)

participate in those proceedings;

(b)

where, during the proceedings, the child wishes to express a view, make reasonable arrangements to enable the child to express those views in the manner preferred by the child;

(c)

ensure that a record is made of—

(i)

the decisions or determinations made by the children’s hearing or pre-hearing panel, as the case may be; and

(ii)

the reasons for those decisions or determinations; and

(d)

sign and date the record of the decisions or determinations.

(2)

Any requirement on the chairing member to inform those attending a children’s hearing of the substance of any report, document or information or to explain any matter is subject to any decision of the children’s hearing to withhold information under section 178 (children’s hearing: disclosure of information) of the Act or by virtue of a non-disclosure request made in accordance with Part 19 of these Rules.