Childrens Panel (Western Isles)
The Children’s Panel is a group of unpaid trained volunteers, appointed by Scottish Ministers, who come from all types of background and all walks of life.
Three Panel Members sit on each Children’s Hearing. With the help of reports from professionals, such as Social Workers, and discussions with the child and family the hearing considers what has caused the child to be at risk and what must be done to reduce or prevent that risk from recurring in the future.
Current opportunities
Volunteer with Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) and make a difference in your community!
CHS is recruiting volunteer Panel Members across the country to help support Scotland’s infants, children and young people. We are looking for enthusiastic people aged 18 and over who can show empathy, compassion and great listening skills.
Panel Members are volunteers from local communities who take part in children's hearings. Their role is to listen and make legal decisions with and for infants, children and young people who have been referred to the Children’s Panel. Panel Members ensure that the young person is at the heart of every decision made – because every decision, no matter how big or small, has an impact on the life of the child or young person in the hearing.
We offer a comprehensive training programme with a highly experienced team to support your development, who will help you along your journey in becoming a panel member.
Support children and young people through supporting panel members – become a Panel Practice Advisor.
The Children's Hearings System is Scotland's unique care and justice system for children and young people in need of care, protection and support.
The system is unique because it is unsalaried, lay tribunal members – Children’s Panel members - who are the decision makers at children's hearings. This is done by considering the needs, circumstances and best interests of the children and young people before them and making decisions accordingly.
Panel Practice Advisors (PPAs) play a critical role within Area Support Teams (those responsible for the delivery and administration of the Children's Hearings System at a local level across Scotland). PPAs are responsible for selecting and recommending panel members for appointment to the National Convener. They also regularly observe panel member practice within children's hearings and contribute to practice development within their local area.
The Eilean Siar AST is looking to recruit PPAs so if you have good assessment, observation, interviewing and communication skills and are able to regularly give your time to the Children's Hearings System.