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Children’s Panel seeking new members to help city’s most vulnerable youngsters

Residents across the Granite City are being encouraged to sign up to help the city’s most vulnerable children.

Aberdeen City Children’s Panel is seeking new members to help neglected, abused and troubled children to get their lives back on track.

In order to add to their existing membership the Aberdeen Children’s Panel wants to hear from people over 18 years of age and from all walks of life.

Becoming a member does not require any formal qualifications, all that is asked is that panel members can listen, understand and make a decision that will improve a child’s life.

Children are referred to the hearings system because they are often considered to be at risk or have offended.

At each hearing, panel members work with the child, parents or carers and professionals to make decisions which are in the best interests of the child.

All new recruits receive full training before they undertake duties and are given help and support by council officers and fellow panelists.

In exchange for giving up their time panel members don’t just change a child’s life, but their own lives too. Current Children’s Panel chair Isobel Scorgie has served on the panel for 26 years, juggling a career and a family at the same time.

She said: “I consider it to be a tremendous privilege to help children and their families in the city. It is extremely rewarding to be asked to improve the lives of vulnerable youngsters by identifying the correct and most appropriate help for the children and their families.

“I'd encourage as many people as possible to come forward and get involved. There’s no denying the Children’s Panel involves a time commitment but we don’t ask the impossible and speaking from personal experience I can say to anyone interested it is a hugely rewarding experience.”

Local Information meetings have been organised for those wishing to find out more about becoming a panel member. They will be held in the Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen on the following dates from 7.00pm :-

• Monday 23 January

• Wednesday 8 February

• Tuesday 14 February

For more information call Mark Masson or Grant Webster on 01224 522607 or email gwebster@aberdeencity.gov.uk

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