Children's Panel

Aberdeen City Children's Panel

Since 1971, Scotland's system of justice for young people has been unique from that operating in the rest of the United Kingdom.

The establishment of the Scottish Children's Hearings System stemmed from the work of Lord Kilbrandon. In advising the Government of the day about how to deal with young people in trouble, he recognised that whether they had offended or had been offended against, it was essential that in taking decisions about their future, the best interests of the child or young person must be paramount. Except in exceptional cases involving substantial risks to public safety, that principle remains the foundation of the Children's Hearing System.

You can find out more about the Children's Panel and how you can get involved, by selecting the Children’s Panel link below. 

For further information about the Children's Panel, visit the Children's Hearings website.

Application Process

2012 Recruitment Campaign Information

The National Recruitment Campaign commences on 9 January 2012 and will run through to 5 February 2012.

The Prelim Interviews for Panel Membership in Aberdeen will be held from 30 January 2012

Aberdeen City Council will be hosting three Recruitment Information Meetings.  At these meetings you can find out more about what is involved with the Children's Panel.  There will be speakers attending each night to give you their views about being a Panel Member.  These meetings will be held in the Council Chamber in th Town House, on Broad Street and start at 7.00pm.

• Monday 23 January
• Wednesday 8 February
• Tuesday 14 February
  
  

The closing date for applications is Monday 20 February 2012.  The Children's Panel Advisory Committee will meet following all pre-lim interviews to discuss all applications and to decide who would asked to come back for an additional interview. 

Applicants must ensure that they are available on Saturday 17 March 2012, as this is the Final Selection Day.  All applicants who have been asked to attend a further interview must attend on this day.

To register your interest in attending a Recruitment meeting to to request an application pack, please contact Grant (details below).

Contacts

• Grant Webster
  Children's Panel
  Legal and Democratic Services,
  Town House,
  Broad Street,
  Aberdeen
  AB10 1AQ
  Phone: 01224 522607
  Email: gwebster@aberdeencity.gov.uk
  
  
• Mark Masson
  Children's Panel
  Legal and Democratic Services,
  Town House,
  Broad Street,
  Aberdeen
  AB10 1AQ
  Phone: 01224 522989
  Email: mmasson@aberdeencity.gov.uk
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

• Could my age or occupation prevent me from becoming a Children’s Panel member?
• How can I become involved as a Children’s Panel member?
• How many Children’s Panel members are there in Aberdeen?
• How much time will be required to attend Children’s Panel duties?
• I have concerns about the view my employer might take to time off for Children’s Panel duties – what is my position?
• What does the Children’s Panel do?
• What is the CPAC?
• What qualifications do I need to join the Children’s Panel?
• What training commitment is involved in the Children’s Panel?
• Where are the Children’s Hearings held?
• Who appoints Panel Members?
• Will I be out of pocket as a Children’s Panel member?