This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Children's board appointment
18/08/2003
A new member has been appointed to the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) Board.
Sheriff Pamela Bowman's appointment was announced by Deputy Minister for Education and Young People Euan Robson.
Sheriff Pamela Bowman worked as a solicitor in a private practice after graduating from St Andrews University in 1965 and was appointed a sheriff in 1997. A former Board Member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board and Angus NHS Trust, she is currently a member of the Board of Family Mediation Grampian and Chair of the Scottish Legal Group of BAAF (British Association for Adoption and Fostering). She has no record of any political activity.
The appointment has been made with immediate effect for a period of four years until 31 March 2007. It carries with it a time commitment of one and a half days per month, and presently attracts remuneration of £4,230 per annum.
The SCRA Board plays a vital role in assisting children's reporters to contribute towards providing positive outcomes for children who have offended or are at risk and in need of care.
Welcoming this appointment Euan Robson said:
"I am pleased to announce this appointment to the Board of SCRA. Sheriff Pamela Bowman will bring a vast amount of experience and knowledge to the Board not only as a Sheriff but also as a member of the Board of Family Mediation Grampian and Chair of the Scottish Legal Group of BAAF the British Association for Adoption and Fostering".
"There are considerable challenges if SCRA is to fulfill its corporate objectives in the years ahead and deliver effective outcomes for children and young people in trouble.
"The majority of referrals to the Reporter are where children are in need of care and protection. We need integrated, child focussed approaches with effective partnership between all agencies to make a difference for such children. There are few persistent offenders who do not have some major problems in their lives - family breakdown, substance misuse, violence or abuse for example. We need to reduce the levels of offending among young people and also tackle underlying problems.
"SCRA has a central role to play in addressing these challenges and I look to the Board to help drive the necessary changes forward."
Douglas Allan stepped down from the Board on 31 March 2003 after serving for seven years.
The SCRA was established on 1 April 1995 as a Non-Departmental Public Body under section 128 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 and became operational on the 1 April 1996. The general purpose of the SCRA is to facilitate the work of Children's Reporters for children; to deploy and manage staff to carry out that work; and provide suitable accommodation for children's hearings.
SCRA operates within a framework agreed with Scottish Ministers. The Board consists of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and six Board members, including one who is the Principal Reporter and serves in an ex-officio capacity. Based in Stirling, SCRA manages over 30 offices throughout Scotland and employs around 390 staff. Projected expenditure in the financial year 2003/04 amounts to £21m.
This public appointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.