Help children get their lives back on track
Not everyone thinks they have it in them to change the life of a child, but every day in Scotland, volunteers who sit on Children's Panels do just that.
The Children's Panel is a unique approach to helping children and young people who are in trouble or at risk. Panel members make vital decisions about the welfare of vulnerable children who may have been neglected, abused or have committed an offence, to help them get their lives back on track.
To ensure the system offers the best support, people from all walks of life are required to volunteer as panel members every year, and a Scotland-wide recruitment campaign is being launched this month to find the right people for the job.
So what does being a Children's Panel member involve? People who commit to serving as a panel member will get intensive training, undertake extensive preparation in advance of a hearing and then regularly make difficult and emotional decisions.
However as a Children's Panel member you will reap the personal benefits of helping transform a child's life, while developing new skills which will change your life as well.
No special qualifications are required to become a Children's Panel member – just common sense, an ability to listen and empathy for vulnerable children in need of support. Panel members must be aged 18 or over and have the time to commit to the training schedule and ongoing hearing sessions.
If you want to make a positive contribution to your community and would like more information on what becoming a panel member involves, call 0845 601 2770, text PANEL 4 to 61611 or visit infoscotland.com/childrenspanel
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Interviewee communicated excellently and honestly. Very informative procedurally and personally.Rita Hart