The Scottish Borders Children’s Panel needs you!
Monday, August 20 2007
The Children’s Panel in the Scottish Borders is now recruiting new members to make decisions on the future of children in difficulty.
The Children’s Hearing system is unique. In Scotland, if children commit a minor offence or are in need of care and protection, they are not usually dealt with by the Courts. Instead they come before a Children’s Hearing. By law, the Hearing is made up of three lay people, men and women, who are charged with making decisions based on the welfare and well-being of the child.
The Children’s Panel in the Scottish Borders is now recruiting new members to make decisions on the future of children in difficulty. This year new male and female members are needed, sensible, caring but above all, ordinary people just like you.
Across Scotland there are around 2500 Panel members. No special qualifications are needed. Panel members are carefully prepared for the work through initial training and undertake further in-service training during their membership. They need to be able to talk, without talking down; listen and really hear; read between the lines and really understand.
Graeme Coulthard has been a Panel member for five years. He explained, “For me, one of the most important factors in being a panel member has been the high level of commitment that is required – attending training sessions, which are ongoing, preparing and attending Hearings. Although being a panel member can be a challenging experience, it has provided me with the opportunity to contribute to the wellbeing of children ‘at risk’. It is important that the decision that you reach is in the best interests of the child. Whilst this can appear a daunting task, by working as part of a team in conjunction with professionals, a satisfactory outcome can be reached. Adults of all ages, with a variety of life experiences, can contribute in different ways as effective Panel members.”
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Panel member, come along to one of our open evenings. The sessions begin at 7pm in the following locations:
- Tuesday 28 August, Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso
- Thursday 30 August, Ettrick Riverside, Selkirk
- Tuesday 11 September, Drumlanrig’s Tower, Hawick
- Thursday 13 September, St Joseph’s Neighbourhood Centre, Peebles
If you can’t attend one of the sessions, or are interested in receiving an application pack, contact Fiona Henderson, Assistant Clerk to the Panel, at Council HQ on 01835 826502.
Editors’ Note:
You can find out more about the Children’s Hearing system and the national Children’s Panel Recruitment Campaign on the Scottish Executive website
Unified Solutions.