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.
If you wish to find out any more information about how the Children's Panel system works or ways you can get involved, email cpac@pkc.gov.uk or telephone 01738 475151.
Children's Panel Advisory Committee (CPAC)
Members | Sub-Members | Panel Chair |
|---|
- Mrs Joy Knight (CPAC Chairman)
- Mr Garry Cameron (Depute Chairman)
- Councillor George Hayton
- Councillor Barbara Vaughan
- Mrs Nancy Taylor
|
- Mrs Penny I'anson
- Mr Jack Rough
|
- Mrs Jenny Blinkhorne
- Mr David Barnes (Depute Panel Chair)
- Mrs Pru Maitland (Depute Panel Chair)
|
All of the above can be contacted via:-
Mr Andrew Wilson
Clerk to the CPAC
Chief Executive's Service
Democratic Services
Perth & Kinross Council
2 High Street
PERTH PH1 5PH
Recruitment
Recruitment of the new Children's Panel Members takes place in Perth and Kinross normally every two years and is being undertaken in 2008. Preliminary interviews will take place in Perth on the evenings of Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October 2008. Successful candidates at that interview will pass on to the second stage, involving attendance in Perth for the morning and afternoon, likely to be on Saturday 22 November 2008. If you are interested in joining the Children's Panel in this area, please complete the application form [PDF: 98Kb] and return to us by Monday 6 October 2008 at 12.00 noon.
Interview and selection
Members of a children's panel are appointed by Scottish Ministers. Every local authority has a Children's Panel Advisory Committee (CPAC), which is responsible for recommending individuals for appointment as panel members. For new panel members this normally involves attending information sessions, completing application forms and attending interviews and group discussions. References are also followed up, and an enhanced police check by Disclosure Scotland is carried out. The initial period of appointment is three years and is renewable on further recommendation from the CPAC, following monitoring of performance.
Safeguarders
The Children's Hearing, or Sheriff in certain court proceedings, may appoint an independent person or Safeguarder, whose role is to prepare a report to assist the Hearing to reach a decision in he children's best interests.
The current panel of Safeguarders are:
- Mrs Joyce Brunton
- Mr Robert Kedslie
- Mrs Margaret Laird
- 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
