Children's Panel Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Children's Hearing system?
The majority of Children's Hearings deal with child welfare cases. However, before April 1971, any child under the age of 16 who committed a criminal offence was given a trial before a Juvenile Court. The introduction of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 determined that the majority of children who committed offences under the age of 16, were more in need of social and personal care. It was decided that a Hearing system should be set up to deal with the treatment of such children which combined the characteristics of a criminal Court and those of a treatment agency.
2. What is the Children's Panel?
The Children's Panel is a group of specially selected volunteers who make the decisions about children who have been referred to Children's Hearings.
3. What is a Hearing?
A Hearing is a type of meeting that takes place to decide what needs to be done in the best interest of the child.
4. What happens at a Hearing?
The majority of Panel Hearings take place within the child's home area, with the child, the child's parents, their Social Worker, the Reporter to the Children's Panel and three Panel members being present.
The Hearing room is normally an informal set up comprising of everyone attending sitting around a table. These measures are taken to make the child and the child's parents feel part of the proceedings.
Panel members are given background reports in advance of a Hearing, from different agencies which they have to consider carefully and when the Hearing takes place, the content of these reports are discussed informally with the child and those other persons present. The Panel members then have to make a decision as to the appropriate action to be taken in the best interests of the child. Each Hearing can usually last anything up to an hour.
If a decision concerning the child's future is taken and either the child and/or the child's parents do not agree on the decision, they have the right to make an appeal to the Sheriff.
5. Who decides if a Child has to attend a Hearing?
The Reporter to Children's Panel is primarily responsible for recommending that a child attend a Hearing. The majority of referrals to the Reporter come from the Police or the Social Work Service of the local authority, although anyone who has concerns that a child may be requiring help, such as teachers or members of the public, have the right to approach the Reporter. Any child from new-born to sixteen years of age may be referred to the Reporter and may attend a Hearing.
6. What kind of people are Children's Panel Members?
Children's Panel members are people 18 years or over who come from a wide cross-section of the public. People from all occupations and income groups are chosen to serve on Children's Panels. Anyone who has an interest in the welfare of children and would be willing to devote time to helping and protecting the best interests of the child is welcome to apply to the Children's Panel. Certain people cannot become Panel members, such as Police, Social Workers and Justices of the Peace as their involvement in a case may be considered prejudicial.
7. How do I become a Children's Panel Member?
A recruitment drive for new members takes place in the autumn, with advertisements being placed in local and national newspapers, libraries and community centres and usually being backed up with a television recruitment campaign.
The Children's Panel Advisory Committee are given the task of selecting potential Panel members, through an information evening, a selection meeting and an informal interview, with the final appointment decision being taken by the Scottish Minister.
8. What happens if I am selected to become a Children's Panel Member?
If you are selected as a Panel member, you will attend a comprehensive initial training programme in preparation to participate in Hearings. As you serve on the Children's Panel, you will attend further training courses and meetings to ensure that you are kept fully trained to participate in Hearings.
9. How much time will I need to give up to become a Children's Panel Member?
Although being a Panel member is a rewarding and worthwhile activity to volunteer for, a certain amount of time has to be devoted to it. Panel members are required to attend a maximum of two Hearings per month, most taking place during the day. In addition to attending the Hearings, preparation is required by reading the background reports before a Hearing. Attendance at local monthly evening training meetings is essential to be kept up to date with changes in legislation and child care practices (sometimes up to eight meetings a year). You would also be required to attend two Saturday training days and to visit places such as children's homes.
10. Will I be paid for being a Children's Panel Member?
Panel members are not paid for their work, but can claim any travelling, subsistence and loss of earnings incurred.
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For further information about this page please contact:
Chief Executive's Services
Greenfield House, Tullibody Road, Alloa, FK10 2AD
Tel: 01259 450000 Fax: 01259 452230
Email: chiefexecutiveservice@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
