Children's Hearings in Angus
The past year has again been a particularly busy time for the Hearing System in Angus. Over the period from April 2006 to March 2007 Angus Children's Panel undertook 206 hearing sessions with panel members collectively sitting on a total of 693 hearings. This included hearings held out with the area in relation to Angus children being accommodated in secure placement. These figures are well up on the previous year.
We successfully recruited 12 new panel members who have now completed their pre-service training and are beginning to sit on hearings. We will be recruiting again this November when we hope to enlist the services of around 6 to 8 new panel members. However it is likely as in past years we will experience a shortage of male applicants.
As you may expect training is an ongoing feature in a panel member's life. Angus members attended joint area training with Dundee and Perth & Kinross. In addition local in-service training featuring topics such as Restorative Justice, Permanency and Freeing for Adoption, Through Care and Aftercare and Advice to the Courts was very well attended. We are grateful to the various agencies and individuals involved in the presentations. Panel members also participated in multi-agency training organised by Angus Child Protection Committee. It was noted these multi-agency sessions were very well received and described as being worthwhile, informative and interesting.
We take this opportunity to thank all professionals and agencies who work tirelessly to improve the lives of children and young people in Angus. Their informative reports and their presence at hearings is appreciated and highly valued by panel members.
Finally it is fitting also to thank panel members for giving up their valuable time, particularly those who during this busy period undertook additional hearings.
"We take this opportunity to thank all professionals and agencies who work tirelessly to improve the lives of children and young people in Angus."