​Brian Duffy on the importance of the Children's Panel and why you should consider becoming a member

At this stage in my life (let’s just say I’m over 50) you might have thought I’d be looking for an easy time, but you would be wrong.

I stopped working in residential child care almost 30 years ago, but have always had a hankering to stay involved and keep trying to make a difference to children and young people’s lives.

Being a panel member has given me a real sense that I am doing something worthwhile

Brian Duffy

So when I saw a tweet from Children’s Hearings Scotland looking for new panel members, I knew it was about time I stepped up to the plate. That was a year ago, and I’ve not looked back.

The Children’s Panel system aims to help vulnerable young people who find themselves in trouble, often because of neglect and abuse.

Members – unpaid volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and communities – make decisions at children's hearings about the help and guidance needed to support children and young people.

I knew the system from way back when I worked with children in care and would take children to hearings and submit reports to the Children’s Reporter.

The biggest difference from all those years ago is that the percentage of cases that we deal with has flipped from 80% offending to 80% welfare. This means the vast majority of the work involves reaching a decision, along with children, families, and partners round the table, that supports the child or young person.

The training is extensive and thorough — you need to commit to seven days between January and April. As well as formal units delivered by West Lothian College, you also observe real hearings to give you a better idea of how the system operates in practice. After you have completed the training, you can formally put your name forward to join the panel.

I really enjoyed meeting various people from all walks of life, young and old, who had put themselves forward to train as panel members.

To date, I’ve sat on twelve hearings. You are normally given one date a month where there will usually be three separate hearings. You are sent the papers about ten days in advance of the hearings and you read these thoroughly, taking any notes which you will discuss with your two colleagues and the reporter (for any procedural matters) before each of the hearings begin. You are bound by a strict code of confidentiality which means you can only discuss the content of a case with your two colleagues and the reporter and then only before the case begins. You are also bound by this confidentiality when the case ends.

Would I recommend to others to get involved? Definitely.

Being a panel member has given me a real sense that I am doing something worthwhile and making a difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The children who appear at a panel, whether it be for welfare or offending reasons, need the considered thought of panel members to try and create the best outcome for them at what might be a particularly troublesome time in their life.

The Children’s Panel is now looking for 500 new volunteers. In particular, they are looking for younger people to take part. Someone needs to do it, so why shouldn’t it be you?

To find out more, visit the Children’s Panel website.

Brian Duffy is a project manager at Wheatley Group, working on ways to support people to live in their own homes for longer.