Children's Hearings System
The Scottish Children's Hearings System was established in 1971
following the work of Lord Kilbrandon, who advised the Government
of the time that a change was needed in current practices.
The new system of public volunteers replaced the courts in taking
responsibility for dealing with children and young people under the
age of sixteen, and in some cases eighteen, who commit offences or
are in need of care and protection.
The foundation of the new system was based on the principle to
achieve outcomes that were in the best interest of the child, or
children in question. Perth and Kinross, along with
Scotland's other thirty-one local authority areas, has a Children's
Panel which is made up of volunteers from throughout the area and
is supported by the Council.
More recently, the system has been strengthened and modernised
following the passing of the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act
2011.
If you wish to find out any more information about how the
Children's Panel system works or ways you can get involved, you can
email cpac@pkc.gov.uk or
visit www.childrenspanelscotland.org
Recruitment
Recruitment for the Perth and Kinross Children's Panel commenced
on Monday 9 January 2012. Application forms
and further information is available via the download section
in the top right hand corner of this page, by emailing cpac@pkc.gov.uk , or by
telephoning 01738 475116. Hard copies of the application form
and accompanying information are also available upon request.
Please return completed application forms to:-
Christina Flynn
Clerk to the CPAC
Chief Executive's Service
Perth and Kinross Council
2 High Street
Perth
PH1 5PH
The closing date for application forms is Friday 10
February 2012. Further information regarding
potential interview dates is contained in the letter to applicants,
available from the download section of this page.
More information on becoming a panel member is also available by
visiting http://www.childrenspanelscotland.org/
.
Children's Panel Advisory Committee (CPAC)
| Members |
Sub-Members |
Panel Chair |
- Mrs Joy Knight (CPAC Chairman)
- Mr Garry Cameron
- Councillor George Hayton
- Councillor Barbara Vaughan
- Mrs Nancy Taylor
|
|
- Mrs Jenny Blinkhorne
- Mr David Barnes (Depute Panel Chair)
- Mrs Prue Maitland (Depute Panel Chair)
|
| Current
Panel Members are |
|
- Mr Arthur Andrews
- Mr David Barnes
- Mrs Jenny Blinkhorne
- Mrs Louise Brown
- Mrs Elpeth Farmer
- Mrs Hilary Harper
- Mrs Kate Henderson
- Mr Gary Law
- Mrs Catriona Lang
- Mrs Briony McDonald
|
- Mrs Mairi MacLeod
- Mrs Prue Maitland
- Mrs Anna Martin
- Mrs Alison Morley
- Mrs Sandra Ritchie
- Mrs Dina Scott
- Mr Donald Stewart
- Mr Thomas Watt
- Mr John Wilson
|
All of the above can be contacted via:-
Clerk to the Perth & Kinross CPAC
Council Building,
2 High Street
Perth PH1 5PH
or by email: cpac@pkc.gov.uk
The Children's Panel Advisory Committee (CPAC) comprimises
three members appointed by Scottish Ministers, and two members
appointed by the local authority. The CPAC has chosen to appoint
sub-committee members to assist it in its duties which are
to:
Recruit members of the Children's Panel and recommend them to
Scottish Ministers for appointment or reappointment;
- To observe Panel Members in Hearings, giving them appropriate
feedback on their performance, and therefore assume responsibility
for quality control;
- To offer Scottish Ministers advice from time to time on matters
relating to the Children's Hearings System.
Safeguarders
The Children's Hearing, or the Sheriff, in certain court
proceedings, may appoint an independent person or Safeguarder,
whose role is to represent what he/she believes are the best
interests of the child, against all comers, even if the child
disagrees with this view. The Safeguarder will prepare a report for
the Hearing or the Sheriff, to help inform the decision taken and
ensure that the decision itself is taken in the best interests of
the child. The Safeguarder is appointed from a Panel of
Safeguarders maintained by the local authority.
The current panel of Safeguarders is:
- Ms Sarah Cox
- Mrs Margaret Laird
- Mr Stuart Lynch
- Mr Alan Stewart
- Mr Stuart Wardrop
You can contact any of the Safeguarders by writing to: c/o
Head of Democratic Services, Perth & Kinross Council, 2 High
Street, Perth PH1 5PH
Legal Representatives
Legal representation is provided free of charge for a child or
young person where the panel members sitting on the hearing
considers it likely that there may be a recommendation of
secure acommodation, or where legal representation is needed to
allow the child to participate effectively at the hearing.
Children's Legal Representatives are members of special panels
maintained by the local authority and are qualified solicitors who
work in public or private practice. Legal representation will
normally be arranged through the office of
the Children's Reporter who will request the local
authority to identify a solicitor from its
list.
