Eric Christie - children's panel in Fife

On Thursday 22nd June President Brian Johnson welcomed 17 members to the lunchtime meeting of the Rotary Club of Glenrothes at Gilvenbank Hotel.      Visiting Rotarian Alison Milne from the Rotary club of Perth gave details of 2 special forthcoming events to celebrate the centenary of the Perth club to which other clubs are invited . Firstly a fun golf day will be held on 6th September at the North Inch golf club costing £30.   Secondly on 4th November a charter dinner will be held in the Salutation Hotel costing £35 .

Our speaker today was Eric Christie who gave a very informative talk about the work of the Children's Panel in Fife which was set up in 1971. Eric explained what is involved in the training of panel members, including 45 hours of pre-service training, observing panel hearings, visiting residential schools and foster homes . A further 16 hours of training is required to become a panel chairman.
In  around 80-90% of cases the problems arise because of the parents' inability to cope or to provide adequate care. The priority of the panel is to safeguard the welfare of the child. Some parents accept there is a problem and are keen to accept support. Others refuse support and many deny that there is a problem at all.  Problems include serious behaviour problems, school refusal , drug or alcohol problems  and abuse within the home.
Prior to a hearing reports will be presented to the panel from a variety of agencies-- school, social work department, police, educational psychologist and so on . The grounds for calling the hearing will be read out to the family who must either agree or disagree -- most will disagree and then the case will be referred to the Sheriff. In the interim period the panel must consider the welfare of the child who will most likely be placed in foster care.  At present there are more than 1000 children in Fife in this situation.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Wilna Roger .
The speaker at next week's  meeting is to be confirmed .

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