A FLAGSHIP Scottish Government policy on children is in turmoil after its most senior figure was suspended 10 months after being appointed to her £69,000-a-year post.
Bernadette Monaghan, the national convener of Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS), was the first person to hold the post, which was created to help oversee major reforms to Scotland's unique system for dealing with vulnerable children and young people in trouble, or at risk.
She is understood to have been informed early last week. Although Ms Monaghan was appointed by ministers, CHS has the power to suspend or dismiss her, pending an investigation which has now been launched.
Her role as national convener and chief executive of CHS was to implement reforms and head up the body when it takes over the running of children's hearings next year. She was also to provide a national voice for Scotland's 2500 volunteer panel members.
CHS and the Scottish Government have refused to explain the reasons behind her suspension.
Chairs from Scotland's 32 children's panel advisory committees were advised of the development on Friday.
Ian Hart, chairman of the Children's Panel Chairman's Group, said the decision was a complete surprise and it was felt Ms Monaghan was doing a good job. "We have yet to find out the reasons for this," he said.
The suspension throws the Government's reform plans, which were set out in the 2011 Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act, into disarray.
The Herald understands the allegations relate to complaints made by one member of staff.
However, there have been tensions around the relationship between the CHS board and the national convener post since earlier this year.
The Children's Hearing System provides for panels of local volunteers to meet with children who have committed offences, or who have been victims of neglect or abuse, to attempt to find solutions. Crucially, it is based on a child's "needs, not deeds" and treats all children – whether offenders or victims – as vulnerable and in need of support.
The new law passed earlier this year was intended to improve training and communication within the system and bring it into line with European law. Ministers also wanted to streamline the system, as children's hearings are currently administered at local authority level by 32 separate advisory groups.
In October, Ms Monaghan outlined proposals for 17 area support teams, but these have yet to be agreed by local authorities. Several councils, notably Aberdeen, North Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and Argyll and Bute, have rejected the new structures. The new law allows them to do so, effectively giving councils the power of veto.
However, the timescale for introducing the reforms is tight, with the new structures meant to be agreed by the end of January. CHS is due to take over the running of the children's hearing system in September 2012, and a new training regime is expected to be in place in 2013.
An investigation into the allegations against Ms Monaghan has been ordered by ministers, who are believed to be anxious to resolve the crisis swiftly and to ensure the streamlining of the system is a success.
However, it now seems unlikely the area support teams can be agreed by next month.
Craig Spence, chairman of the CHS board, said: "In the interim, Kit Wyeth, head of the Children's Hearings Team at the Scottish Government, has been seconded as an additional resource to CHS, in the role of project manager."
Ms Monaghan declined to comment.
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