Call for volunteers to join Children’s Panel in Orkney

Orkney Islands Council is urging people interested in the wellbeing and interests of infants, children and young people in the county to consider becoming a member of the local Children's Panel.

Children’s Panel members are part of the Children’s Hearings System in Scotland. The Scottish Government fund the system and Children’s Hearings Scotland support the 3,000 volunteers throughout Scotland.

Panel members take part in Children’s Hearings, receiving written and spoken information from the young person, their family, Social Work and anyone else who needs to be involved. The information is to help you along with two other Panel members decide what is in the best interest of the young person at this point in their life – to ensure they are safe, loved, valued and respected.

It is a rewarding role and valuable to children and the community. You do not need any formal qualifications, but you need to be a good listener, compassionate, empathetic and trustworthy and relate to young people in difficult circumstances.

You need to able to read and understand sometimes detailed reports. Digital training will be provided as part of the training.

The Local Orkney Children’s panel are holding an online information event on Wednesday 3rd February at 19:30 when you can speak to Panel members in Orkney to get an understanding of the role. You will need to register for this event so you can be sent a Microsoft Teams invite.

To find out more about how things work in Orkney, or to register for the online information event, please email Annette Feeney, Orkney’s Area Team Support Clerk.

To apply to join the Children's Panel, visit the Children's Hearings Scotland website.

Applications close 15 February 2021.