FAMILIES and young people attending children's hearings are often unaware of their rights, leaving them unable to take part in crucial decisions about the lives of children, a survey has found.

The research carried out across Scotland warns that much more needs to be done to ensure those taking part are able to participate fully in the quasi-judicial children's panels..

Trained volunteer members of the public sit on children's hearings to make decisions about youngsters who are at risk or in trouble. They can take major decisions about issues such as whether a child remains with their birth family or is taken into foster care, or sent to secure care or special educational services.

Children can be required to attend a hearing panel because they are at risk from domestic violence, sexual abuse, truancy or because they are involved in offending or substance abuse.

The survey, commissioned by Children's Hearings Scotland and carried out by ScotCen Social Research, spoke to volunteer panel members, children and family members.

It found a high degree of confidence in the abilities of panel members to make fair decisions which prioritised the needs of the child. However, the report says that although children and families could call for a hearing to be delayed if they had not had time to read documents, or could request a break in proceedings, many were unaware of these rights. Other rights, such as the right to bring a supporter, send in their own report or appeal against a decision were not always well understood.

"It is essential that all those attending understand what their rights are," the report says.

Boyd McAdam, CHS national convener and interim chief executive, said the findings of the research would lead to an action plan in the autumn. A recruitment campaign is due to begin next month which will encourage applications from younger people and men (currently 62 per cent of panel members are female) and from a range of backgrounds.

"Whatever background a panel member comes from it is important they have the training and awareness regarding the circumstances families and children face," he said.

He said the findings of the survey were reassuring that panels were being well run and making good decisions.

He said it was important children and families knew their rights and what they could ask for in a hearing.

The survey also found that hearing rooms could be made more child-friendly, for example by offering books or activities to interest older children in waiting rooms, or by using children's art to liven up walls.

CHS is to work with the Scottish Children's Reporters Administration to implement the findings.