Scottish Government

LETTER TO APPLICANT

Dear applicant

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHILDREN'S PANEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ( CPAC)

Thank you for your response to our advertisement inviting applications for the appointment of new CPAC members to the Children's Panel Advisory Committee ( CPAC).

The following documents are enclosed:

1. Application form
2. Advertisement
3. Background note
4. Role description
5. Person specification
6. Checklist
7. Feedback form
8. Public appointments monitoring form

All appointments are based on merit following a fair, open and transparent process, with the responsible Scottish Minister making the final decision about whom to appoint in each case.

Your application will be handled as follows:

• Your application will be acknowledged within five working days of receipt.
• The Chair and Clerk to the CPAC will first assess your completed application form against the criteria for the post to see whether you have the necessary skills and knowledge specified for the appointment.

Should you be invited to attend an interview you will be notified as soon as possible by the Chair or Clerk to the CPAC. You will be then asked questions by the interview panel to assess whether you can demonstrate that you have the specified qualities required for CPAC membership.

• All interviewees will be advised in writing of the outcome of the interview.
• Those candidates who best meet the specified criteria will be recommended for appointment to Scottish Ministers who will select the best person(s) for the position(s) from the list of people agreed by the Selection Panel.
• If you are successful you will be invited in writing by the Scottish Executive to accept the appointment. The Clerk and Chair to the CPAC will notify unsuccessful candidates.
• Please note that the appointment is for one term only (3 years). Although re-appointment is not automatic, a further term of appointment can be sought.

The schedule below shows the key milestones during the appointment(s) process.

The Children's Hearings system and the Scottish Executive are committed to a policy of equal opportunities in public appointments and are keen to ensure that individuals from all sections of society, and particularly those from under-represented groups, are encouraged to participate in public life. The enclosed public appointments monitoring form is used for monitoring purposes only. This information will form no part in the selection process.

Information on the composition of boards of public bodies is published on www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies. This information, and data on ethnic origin and disability, may also be used in response to Parliamentary Questions and other public enquiries or reports. We guarantee not to publish these statistics in a way which would allow individuals to be identified. In accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998, a question seeking your consent to the publication of this information is included in the application form. Other information being requested will be made public at the time of the news announcement, should you be appointed. This applies particularly to any other public appointments you may hold and/or any political activity you may have undertaken.

Please send, fax or email your completed application form and public appointments monitoring form to the Clerk to the CPAC - no later than (please check with the Clerk to the CPAC) :

Please ensure that you have signed the relevant documents. All correspondence relating to your application will be treated in confidence. Forms returned electronically will require to be signed personally prior to any appointment being made.

If you have a complaint about any aspect of this appointment process, please refer to the enclosed leaflet - background note. If you have any general queries regarding this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. For further information on CPACs' duties and functions, see the Clerk to the CPAC/ LA's website address/contact details.

Yours sincerely

Clerk to the CPAC