East Ayrshire Childrens Panel

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

Before making any recommendation to the Secretary of State, CPAC have to be satisfied that an applicant has not been convicted of an offence of a nature which might make him or her unsuitable to act as Panel Member. Applicants will therefore be required to disclose any such information. As a matter of course the names of all applicants will be passed to the Scottish Criminal Records Office for details of any previous criminal convictions. It is unlikely that a previous conviction, except a very recent one, would in itself disqualify an applicant unless for one of the more serious criminal offences. The Secretary of State's letter of appointment will also require a Panel Member to notify him of any future conviction which might disqualify him/her from further service as a Panel Member.

'The Children's Panel was established in 1971 following the recommendations of Lord Kilbrandon. This form of Juvenile Justice and Child Protection is unique to Scotland. Panel members are volunteers from all sections of the local community, representing most age groups, who undergo rigorous and continuous training to allow them to sit on Hearings and make informed decisions in the best interests of the child. This is done in the form of the Children's Hearing where three panel members, the child, his parents and family and interested professionals meet to discuss the child and his needs. No special technical or professional skills are required to be a Panel Member. All that is needed is time and commitment, and a compassionate and sincere interest in children.