About us
Childrens Hearings Scotland
Panel Member
From 01/09/25 To 06/10/25
What is the role?
Who are they?
What can I gain?
Where?
When can I volunteer?
Any requirements?
ROLE DESCRIPTION
We already have around 2,300 amazing people who volunteer to be part of the Children’s Hearings Scotland community, otherwise known as the Children’s Panel.
The Children's Panel makes legal decisions on how to support infants, children, and young people who come to children's hearings.
At every children’s hearing there are always three volunteer, lay Panel Members and it is their role to: listen to the child or young person’s views, understand their circumstances, and ultimately make legal decisions about how to best protect and care for them.
Our volunteers make sure that all Scotland’s infants, children and young people feel safe, loved, valued and respected. It’s an important role that is hugely rewarding, but we need more Panel Members.
If you can show compassion, empathy, trust and are a good listener, could you join them?
ABOUT THIS ORGANISATION
At CHS, we recruit, train and support volunteer Panel Members who make legal decisions with and for children and young people in children’s hearings.
You may have heard of us being referred to as the Children’s Panel too.
Volunteer with us
WHAT COULD YOU GAIN?
Our Children’s Hearings Scotland Learning Academy provides a range of online and face-to-face learning and development opportunities that ensure our Panel Members are well trained to undertake their roles. Having the right skills, knowledge and values is a key part of both making effective decisions for infants, children and young people, and of supporting the Panel Members who make those decisions.
We encourage our volunteers and staff members to undergo continuous training and development to make sure they are up to speed on the latest legislation and practice.
our training and experience as a Panel Member equips you with a range of transferable skills. These include: dealing with complex issues and communicating these with empathy and compassion when working with children, young people and families; principles and practices within the children’s hearings system, including law and procedure; chairing hearings; decision making and protecting rights. Other skills you learn are:
- Leadership
- Team Working
- Effective Communications
- Analytical Thinking
- Influencing & negotiating
- Decision Making
- Managing Conflict
FAQs
WHERE?
Dumfries & Galloway
WHEN CAN I VOLUNTEER?
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SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
You’ll be enthusiastic and committed to securing the rights of children and young people; able to lead and be part of teams; a strong communicator. You’ll also be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to and understanding of the ethos, values and principles of the children's hearings system.
You need to be 18 years or over to apply to become a Panel Member, there is no upper age limit
We also welcome applications from those with lived experience of Childrens Hearings
REQUIREMENTS FOR STARTING THE ROLE
Step 1 - Submit your application
https://www.chscotland.gov.uk/volunteer-with-us/how-to-apply/start-your-application/
Applications are now open in some areas of Scotland (Argyll & Bute, Inverclyde, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, West Lothian, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Highland, Shetland, Orkney, Angus, Dundee, Fife, Glasgow, Dumfries & Galloway and South Lanarkshire.
Applications close at midnight on 6th Oct 2025. The form will take less than 30 minutes.
There are several sections asking you to provide:
- Contact details
- Your own community knowledge
- Your own experience
- About you
- Your availability
- Information on:
- Any conflicts of interest
- Safeguarding and PVG
- References
You may prefer a desktop screen rather than a mobile device to complete the form.
Please note that you can save the application at any stage and if you have any questions, you can email chsrecruit@chs.gov.scot
Step 2 – Becoming a Trainee Panel Member
We want to make sure that all of our Panel Members are equipped with the skills and knowledge to fulfil this important role and as a trainee you will be expected to commit to a period of comprehensive learning.
Our Pre-Service learning programme is delivered by the CHS Learning Academy. The programme consists of 7 days training, with an additional 6 hours (approx.) independent learning per training day.
Once you are appointed as a Panel Member there is an expected commitment to maintain your skills and ongoing learning and development. We will support you to do this through the delivery of e-learning courses and local learning and development sessions. These sessions are normally held in the evenings or at the weekends, or through our online portal.
Step 3 - Your role as a Panel Member
Hearings take place during the week, in daytime hours. You'll normally attend either a morning or an afternoon session, twice a month. You have a right to take reasonable time off work to sit on Hearings. We'll provide you with all the support and ongoing training you need.