New recruits required for the Children's Panel in Caithness and Sutherland
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People in Caithness and Sutherland with a little spare time on their hands and interested in helping others are being invited to join the children's hearing system.
As part of the 2022 recruitment drive volunteers are being asked to make an application to Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS) by February 9.
A recruitment spokesperson said: “Panel Members are exceptional. They support infants, children and young people in local communities across Scotland. Children’s Hearings Scotland are looking for good listeners, people who are caring, compassionate and reliable.
"You need to be over 18 and live and/or work in the local authority area in which you wish to volunteer.”
Questions new volunteers need to consider:
- Do you have spare time?
- Are you interested in helping others?
- Would you like to work in the voluntary sector, giving something back to the wider Caithness and Sutherland communities?
- Are you free to give time to the Children’s Panel in Caithness and Sutherland?
- Would you like to know more about CHS and how you can be involved in a meaningful, purposeful way?
Volunteers from all walks of life, make life-changing decisions that create a difference in the lives of children, young people and families in Caithness, Sutherland, across the Highlands and throughout Scotland, within the children’s hearing system.
Scotland’s system remains unique and relies on the voluntary involvement of around 3000 people who are willing to give time and commitment to serve as children's panel members.
A number of different agencies work together with the children’s hearings system to deliver protection, care and support to families, children and young people.
Panel members decide on what support should be put in place and ensure that those supports continue to be delivered, sustained and maintained to create better outcomes. New recruits do not begin sitting on hearings until a thorough training is provided.
For any new Caithness and Sutherland trainees, the training usually takes place in Inverness although, within the current pandemic, the training is more likely to be delivered virtually, as happened in 2021.
The level of training provided to pre-service trainees is outstanding, delivering a comprehensive overview of the working processes within the hearing system. Any concern regarding prior lack of knowledge is dispelled once the training gets under way.
Lead trainers and facilitators are experienced in ensuring that all trainees receive the best grounding possible prior to sitting on hearings for the first time.
The training comes in the form of larger plenary groups and smaller group sessions, affording many opportunities for trainees to converse and work through tasks in order to gain further insight in terms of knowledge and understanding.
Recruitment for new, 2022 panel members opened on Wednesday, January 12 and information regarding next steps can be found by accessing the Children’s Hearing Scotland website.
Applications will be accepted up until Wednesday, February 9.
For more information visit the Children's Hearings Scotland website.
Related article: Volunteers needed to support Scotland’s children and young people in Caithness
