15 August 2016

Children's Panel recruitment in Aberdeenshire

Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) is recruiting new Children’s Panel members who either live or work in Aberdeenshire.

Children’s Panel members are unpaid volunteers, aged 18 or over from a range of backgrounds and communities, who give their time to make decisions about the welfare of children and young people at risk.

You don’t need any experience or qualifications to apply; you just need to be able to offer your time to undertake the training programme and sit on hearings on a rota basis.

Applications open today (Monday, August 15) and the deadline is Sunday, September 25. For more information or to apply online click here.

National Convenor and Chief Executive of CHS, Bob McAdam, explains: “Serving on the national Children’s Panel is a big commitment, but we know from speaking with panel members that they get as much out of it as they put in.

“Each hearing involves our volunteers making decisions which can help change the life of a child or young person who is need of help and, although difficult at times, it can be hugely rewarding.

“We welcome applications from anyone who feels empathy towards the situations some children and young people in Scotland face.

“We provide the training to help you develop your skills, what we need is your time, your commitment and your compassion.

“We need people from 18 upwards and from a variety of backgrounds. We also need a mix of men and women to ensure the Children’s Panel has a variety of experiences and perspectives.

“If you think you have what it takes, then I’d encourage you to apply.”

Why not watch this short video made by young people to see what they say makes the ‘perfect panel member’?

Please note that new panel members who live or work in Aberdeen City are not being recruited this year.