Orkney's children and young people need you

Volunteer with Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) and make a difference in your community

An important message from Children's Hearings Scotland

Children's Hearings Scotland is recruiting for volunteers across the country, including in Orkney, to help support Scotland’s infants, children and young people by playing a part in children’s hearings, as Panel Members.

We are looking for enthusiastic people aged 18 and over who can show empathy, compassion and great listening skills.

Panel Members are volunteers from local communities who take part in children's hearings.

Their role is to listen and make legal decisions with and for infants, children and young people who have been referred to the Children’s Panel.

Panel Members ensure that the young person is at the heart of every decision made – because every decision, no matter how big or small, has an impact on the life of the child or young person in the hearing.

We offer a certificated training programme with a highly experienced team to support your development, who will help you along your journey in becoming a panel member.

Applications opened 30 August and close midnight 3 October 2023.

Learn more and apply at www.chscotland.gov.uk

Local information session in Orkney

A local information session is being held on Wednesday 20 September at 7pm, online. If you would like the opportunity to learn more about the Children’s Hearing System and being a panel member in Orkney please email Annette Feeney . Annette will send you a Teams meeting link to join the session and answer any additional questions you may have.

What local panel members have to say

Susan Coulter is a current Orkney Panel Member: “Being a Panel Member isn't always easy. You sometimes have to make difficult decisions for very good reasons. The training Panel Members undertake makes sure you have the knowledge and skills to make good decisions. It is a privilege to work with children and their families, knowing that you are hopefully making a positive difference to a child's life.”

Alan Bond, also serves as a Panel Member in Orkney: “I'd recommend becoming a Panel Member to anyone. The training and ongoing support from CHS and other Panel Members gives you the confidence to contribute from Day 1 in making a positive difference to the lives of infants, children and young people.”

Katie Coward volunteers as Panel Member in Orkney “because I really care very much about young people in our community. I have worked with children who are lucky enough to be well supported with secure family lives but am very aware that there are many whose lives are not so easy. I hope that by being part of the Children’s Hearing system I would be able to hear the voices of those who are vulnerable and in difficulty through no fault of their own and make decisions that could turn their lives around.

“I volunteer because it is hugely rewarding to be part of the committed group of people and because I want very much to give something back to the community in which I live and because in a busy fast-moving world I have time.”

For more information about Children's Hearings Scotland and the role of a volunteer Panel Member, contact Annette Feeney by email or on email annette.feeney@orkney.gov.uk.