This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Children's panel recruitment campaign
25/08/2003
A national campaign to recruit at least 450 new members
to children's panels across Scotland was launched
today.
The campaign will be based around adverts in the
national and local press, and local radio, and will run
during the first two weeks of September. It will aim to
build on the success of last year's campaign, which
generated more than 4100 calls to the recruitment line,
almost four times higher than each of the previous four
years, and led to the recruitment of 579 new panel members
- well above the initial target of 450.
The Executive is particularly keen to increase the
number of male and ethnic minority panel members, and to
encourage more applications from people from less affluent
backgrounds to ensure that panels reflect as a broad
representation of society as possible.
Peter Peacock, who launched the campaign during the
opening of the new Children's Hearings Centre in Arbroath
today, said:
"Panel members are a small army who make a huge
difference to children's lives. TheyVolunteers are vital to
the work of the Children's Hearing System and this year we
aim to recruit at least 450 new panel members from all
walks of life, to serve on panels across Scotland.
"In particular, we want to increase the number of male
panel members, recruit more volunteers from ethnic minority
groups - for example by targeting them through community
radio, and to improve overall social representation on
panels.
"The work of panel members is challenging but rewarding.
For the two thirds of children referred on care and
protection groups, they can help improve the welfare of
these vulnerable young people, by ensuring they get the
support and protection they need. While for those referred
for youth offending, or where concerns over anti-social
behaviour feature in referrals, panel members can play an
important part in helping turn around these young lives, as
well as improving the quality of life within local
communities."
Euan Robson said:
"Young people who are referred to children's panels
often have complex lives and complex needs, therefore it is
important that prospective panel members are understanding
and empathetic to the problems they face.
"Other than that, we do not expect new volunteers to
have any specialist qualifications, as appropriate training
and support will be given. In turn, we look to employers to
recognise the contribution made by panel members and to be
as supportive as they can. While staff may occasionally
require time off to participate in training or sit on a
panel, in the long term employers will benefit from the new
skills, gained by the volunteer.
"Improving children's lives is one of the most
worthwhile avenues for volunteering, and the more support
we can offer to volunteers in their invaluable work, the
greater the rewards will be for all."
Sandra Silverdale, Chair of Children's Panel Advisory
Group, said:
"Every child in Scotland deserves the same care,
attention and chances in life. Our children's hearings
system relies on volunteers who live or work locally and
who have an in-depth knowledge of the area in which they
serve. Our volunteers are very special people who truly
care about each child who comes into the system. I would
appeal to anyone else who cares about these children to
take the time and commitment to answer one of our adverts,
and the first steps towards finding out more about the work
and recruitment needs of the children's panel in their
area."
George Anderson, head of the Children's Panel Chairs
Group, said:
"The Children's Panel Chair's Group welcomes this year's
recruitment campaign and hopes that it will encourage
applications from every sphere of society. Children
referred to hearings come from diverse backgrounds and for
Scotland's unique system of care and justice for children
and young people to continue to flourish, it is essential
that the composition of local children's panels accurately
reflect these backgrounds
"I would appeal to anyone who is interested in becoming
a panel member and in making a positive difference to the
lives of children in their local area, not to put this off
for another year, but to register their interest
today."
Prospective panel members should contact the recruitment
hotline number: 0845 601 2770.
This will be open from 8am on 25 August to midnight on
Sunday 28 September. More information is available from
local Children's Panel Advisory Committees and on the
website
www.childrens-hearings.org
Children's Panels deal with vulnerable and troubled
children who may be in need of care and protection, or have
committed an offence. The children's hearings system is
unique to Scotland. It focuses on individual children's
needs and circumstances and addresses why they are at risk.
It relies on the work and commitment of many unpaid
volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and experience.
Children's Panel Advisory Committees (CPACs) based in local
authorities determine how many panel members are required
in their area. CPAC members are themselves volunteers.
Their task is to select prospective panel members and
recommend them to Ministers for appointment. CPAC members
also monitor their performance and have a role in
overseeing panel member training.
Anyone aged 18-60 can apply to become a panel member.
After pre-service training, the time commitment varies but
is generally around half a day every four to six weeks at
hearings with preparation time beforehand.
Last year's campaign was highly successful with 4133
respondents contacting the recruitment line, and 579 new
members being recruited. The male to female recruitment
ratio increased from 20:80 in 2001, to 25:75 last year.
However, in recognition of the need to recruit more men to
panels, the campaign will once again feature an advert
which is particularly targeted at men and which will run in
the sports pages of the national press. The cost of this
year's campaign is £190,000.
Further information on the Children's Hearings System is
available via the following link:
www.childrens-hearings.co.uk
Information on the recruitment campaign in individual
local areas is available from the Clerks of the CPAC, while
information on the experience of being a panel member is
available from the chairs of local children's panels.