Children’s Panel members nationwide recruitment campaign is underway

Volunteers sought to help area’s vulnerable children

A new nationwide campaign to recruit Children's Panel members is underway as a local appeal for potential new recruits in the Scottish Borders commences.

With the campaign aiming to attract over 600 new volunteers, ten of which are needed in the Scottish Borders, local people are being encouraged to apply if they think they have what it takes to help a child out of a dark place. 

The month-long drive will seek to find the right type of individual to ensure the Children's Panel system offers the best support to neglected, troubled and abused children across Scotland.   

There are currently around 2,500 panel volunteers in Scotland who regularly attend hearings to address the needs and behaviour of children and young people who face serious problems in their lives.  These problems can include a child being abused, a child failing to attend school, the child's parents having difficulty looking after them, or a child committing an offence.

Sheena Vannan, Chair of the Scottish Borders Children's Panel Advisory Committee, said:
"The Children's Panel relies on attracting fresh volunteers and we need adults in the Scottish Borders from all backgrounds to apply to ensure the system offers the best support. 
"We're not looking for people with specialist skills, simply those with the capacity to care about, and communicate with, children and families.  We need dedicated, caring local people with commitment and commonsense to get involved.
"It's a vital role that helps us to ensure that vulnerable children in the Scottish Borders have access to the care, support and the direction that they need."

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People said: "By committing time to the Children's Panel, people can improve the lives of vulnerable youngsters across Scotland.  Those interested in getting involved don't require qualifications or experience; they just need to care about the welfare and wellbeing of Scotland's children.
"This year's campaign also promotes the role of employers in supporting employees who wish to become panel members and highlights the benefits to supportive employers of having their staff involved.
"The Children's Panel is an invaluable service which provides a hugely significant support network to young people who require it. I'd therefore encourage as many people as possible to come forward and get involved.''
No qualifications are needed as full training is given to help prepare panel members of the difficult decisions they will face.

To register your interest in becoming a panel member, call 0845 601 2770 or text CHILD to 61611.  Further information on the Children's Panel is available at http://www.childrenspanelscotland.org/. 

For further information, contact Linda McIntyre or Nicola McArthur at Consolidated PR on 0141 285 0229/0131 240 6420.

Notes:
Local case studies of current panel members are available on request. 

The Children's Panel is unique to Scotland and was established in 1971 to address the needs and behaviour of children and young people who face serious problems in their lives. These problems can include, for example, a child being abused, a child failing to attend school, the child's parents having difficulty looking after them or a child committing an offence.

Children are referred to a children's hearing where compulsory measures of supervision are thought to be needed. A children's hearing is a lay tribunal of three panel members. The child, parents/carers and relevant professionals all normally attend the hearing and take part in the discussion. The children's hearing considers and makes decisions on the measures required to best meet the needs of the child or young person before them. The "needs" of the child include addressing any "deeds".