A record number of children's hearings were held last year, the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration's annual report has revealed.

A record number of children's hearings were held last year, the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration's annual report has revealed.

There were 42,302 hearings in 2007-08 - the highest number since the system began.

The number of children on supervision requirements is also at its highest.

But the figures showed the number of children referred to the reporter fell by 10.5%, for the first time since 2001.

Douglas Bulloch, the chair of the SCRA, said this was the result of efforts to reduce inappropriate referrals.

Cases are referred to the reporter from the police, social services, schools, health workers and family.

The reporter then investigates the case and decides if a children's hearing is necessary.

Children are referred to the reporter for reasons such as their own protection, lack of parental care or for committing an offence.

A total of 56% of the children referred were boys, and 75% of those referred on offence grounds were male.

Mr Bulloch said: "Despite the reduction in children being referred, it is a concern than an increasing proportion of the Scottish child population is requiring compulsory measures of intervention."

He said further research was needed to "explore the roots of such difficulties and to identify the most effective measures to help children earlier in life".