Campaign to recruit men for children's panel
Published 9 Apr 2012 12:30
AN appeal has gone out to men living in the Barrhead area to join the area's Children's Panel.
The call is part of a nationwide recruitment drive to recruit more panel members across the country.
But, after more than 200 people came forward in East Renfrewshire looking for more information from the month long campaign, very few men have come forward to apply.
The campaign aimed to attract over 600 new volunteers across the country with six needed in East Renfrewshire.
Local people are encouraged to apply if they think they have what it takes to help a child out of a dark place.
The month-long drive sought to find the right type of individual to ensure the unique Children's Panel system offers the best support to neglected, troubled and abused children across Scotland.
There are currently around 2,500 panel volunteers in Scotland who regularly attend hearings to address the needs and behaviour of children and young people who face serious problems in their lives. These problems can include a child being abused, a child failing to attend school, the child's parents having difficulty looking after them, or a child committing an offence.
Catherine Smith, chairwoman of the East Renfrewshire Children's Panel Advisory Committee, said: "The Children's Panel relies on attracting fresh volunteers and we need adults in East Renfrewshire from all backgrounds to apply to ensure the system offers the best support.
"We're not looking for men and women with specialist skills, simply those with the capacity to care about, and communicate with, children and families. We need dedicated, caring local people with commitment and commonsense to get involved.
"It's a vital role that helps us to ensure that vulnerable children in East Renfrewshire have access to the care, support and the direction that they need."
No qualifications are needed as full training is given to help prepare panel members of the difficult decisions they will face.
To register your interest in becoming a panel member, call 0141 577 3016 or text CHILD to 61611. Further information on the Children's Panel is available at
www.childrenspanelscotland.org
This article appeared in Barrhead News 09 Apr 12
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