4 September 2014 Debbie Mitchell - Children's Hearings Scotland.

Last week's meeting heard from Debbie Mitchell, an HR Manager who has been a member of the Children's Panel since 2007. 

Introduced by President Peter Farr, Debbie gave a talk on the Children's Panel system and an insight into the changes over the years in how young people at risk or in trouble are dealt with.

In 1902, the first Borstal was opened and, for most of the century, this  was the established method of dealing with troubled boys until it was abolished in 1982. In 1960, a committee, set up under Lord Kilbrandon, proposed a change which led, on 15 April 1971, to the formation of the Children's Panel System. Under this system, children's hearings took over from the courts most of the responsibility for dealing with children and young people under 16, and in some cases under 18, who commit offences or who are in need of care and protection.
Debbie explained the grounds on which referrals were made and that while referrals were mainly by Police and Social Workers, they could be made by anyone with concerns about the welfare of the child or young person. She explained the workings of the Children's Panel and the role the volunteers played in the process, which included making some very difficult and sometimes emotional decisions but always with the needs of the child in the forefront.
Panel members receive a 12 week training period and were involved in discussions and visits to panel hearings as part of the training. Panel Hearings last for about an hour and each member has to give their decision and reasoning at the conclusion of the hearing.
Every Local Authority in Scotland has a Panel and there are over 2,500 volunteers in Scotland.
Anyone interested in finding more information on becoming a volunteer can find details on the Children's Hearings Scotland website: www.chscotland.gov.uk

George Morrison thanked Debbie on behalf of the club for a very interesting and stimulating talk.