Children's Hearings

Children's Hearings deal with children and young people under 16, and in some cases under 18, who commit offences or who are in need of care and protection and referred by Social Work Children's Practice Teams.

The Integrated Community Support Service (ICSS) is a multi-agency service that delivers a range of high intensity programmes for young people aged 11-16 within the Children's Hearing system. The service comprises 6 operational teams from City of Edinburgh Council, and voluntary and private sector organisations.

Council staff involved with the service include social workers, group workers, teachers, parent support practitioners, social work assistants, substance misuse specialists, health promotion practitioners, community education workers, youth workers, residential care workers and team leaders.

What we do

The key objectives of the service are to:

• Maintain young people at home or within alternative family placements
• Return young people to their families or alternative family placements from secure care, residential schools or other residential units
• Prevent young people within the Hearing system from moving further into the care system
• Provide quality services and make the best use of our resources
• Reduce the damage caused by alcohol and drugs to individuals, families and communities
• Reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour

How we become involved

Referral to this service should be made through Children and Families Social Care Direct.