The Scottish Government

You can help

A five-week campaign has been launched to recruit 400 new children's panel volunteers from across all walks of life.

Scotland's unique children's hearing system aims to identify early evidence of children in need of care, protection and guidance.

The majority of children are referred to the children's panel on welfare grounds but the system also deals with those who offend, offering alternatives to the criminal justice system.

There are more than one million children in Scotland aged under 16. During 2000-2001, 2,114 children were referred to a children's hearing because of persistent offending - representing just 0.2 per cent of Scotland's children. In the past three years, the number of children referred on offence grounds to children's hearings fell by 31 per cent, from 14,489 to 13,372. This is the lowest offence referrals since 1996-1997.

Volunteers are trained to conduct the hearing, assess reports and take decisions on what needs to be done for the child. Panel members sit on a local tribunal of three members to consider the reports and discuss the issues with the child, his or her parents or carers. The range of programmes open to hearings is increasing, allowing for more appropriate measures to be taken.

There are 32 children's panels and 30 Children's Panel Advisory Committees. Around 5,000 hearings sessions are held each year with up to four individual hearings in each session.

Panel membership is open to people aged between 18 and 60. Panel members are not expected to be experts in child development but have access to a wide range of expert opinion to tap into if required. Full training is provided and employers are required to provide time off for panel duties.

Minister for Education and Young People Cathy Jamieson said:

"Panel members are compassionate people who care about children, their families and communities.

"The work of panel members and the other volunteers, make our children's hearing system possible in Scotland.

"We need caring and committed people to volunteer, whatever their circumstances or background."

If you want to make a difference to young lives, ring the hotline: 0845 601 2770.

Text Version of Children's Panel Recruitment Message Video.

Cathy Jamieson:

"Our Children's Hearings System is highly successful and uniquely Scottish. Volunteers from the community - people like you - sit on local Children's Panels to decide what is best for young people at risk or in trouble. If you are caring and committed, and interested in young people's welfare, we want to hear from you.

"People might not come forward because they're not sure of what's involved. The majority of young people referred to Hearings are there because they need care and protection. Hearings also deal with young people who offend, and Panels can help get young people back on track. In all cases, the Children's Hearing puts their interests first.

"There is a perception that Panels consist only of the middle-class, and the middle-aged. They don't. Membership reflects all ages and walks of life, male and female. It's open to anybody who cares about young people. Panels deal with the effect of society's problems on children and young people. For them to succeed, they must reflect that society. Whether you are an Accountant, a Joiner, or Unemployed, it's the life skills you bring which count.

"Whether you're full-time, part-time or a shift worker, Employers are obliged to give you time off for Panel duties. You will gain new skills through the training provided, and employers will see benefits from the abilities which Panel membership fosters.

"Cases are complex, sensitive, and often emotive. So serving on a Children's Panel is challenging, but rewarding.

"Your time is a precious commodity. To the child at risk it is priceless. Please use it to help secure a better future for some of Scotland's most vulnerable young people."

Marion Pagani:

"Hello, I'm Marion Pagani, Chair of both Glasgow Children's Panel and the National Chairman's Group.

"If you're looking for a challenge then you should think about volunteering for your local Children's Panel. You probably don't think of yourself as the type of person they're looking for - I certainly didn't. But we need people like you from across the community to make a difference to local children.

"I work in the Royal Infirmary as an Oncology Nurse and as a mother and grandmother, working three 12-hour shifts every week in the hospital and keeping the home running, it can be a bit of a juggling act to keep things going. But it's important to be able to understand the issues that children and families face.

"Don't write yourself off as too young to join us in the challenge of a lifetime. Yes, we need the voice of experience but we are looking for male & female volunteers across Scotland between the ages of 18 and 60. Contact your local authority to find out if Panel members are needed in your area.

"The work of a Panel member can be challenging and you will be asked to make decisions in the best interests of vulnerable local children who often face serious difficulties. But it can be very rewarding work too.

"We need caring, committed people who can speak directly and clearly to children and young people at risk or in trouble, in a way that they understand.

"You don't need to be an Academic or to have special qualifications. Full training will be provided and new members all get great support from more experienced Panel members. You will have the opportunity to learn new skills and make new friends.

"It is a privilege to make a difference to young lives by making informed decisions that will impact on their futures."