Children's Hearings

For The Scottish Government, every child matters. Where a child has to appear before a children’s hearing, it is essential that there is a fair and considered hearing for the child and the family. In this, we are dependent on the commitment of volunteer panel members to work and train to maintain the quality service which is a hallmark of the children’s hearings system in Scotland.

In support of this, the volunteers on the Children's Panel Advisory Committees (CPACs) and their sub Groups have a key role to play. Great care must be taken over the selection and development of members of the Children’s Panels. The members of the CPACs act as guardians of the standards through their work in recruitment and monitoring, as well as in advising Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government underpins the children’s hearings system through the funding of four Children's Hearings Training Officers (CHTOs) and their units. The CHTOs are responsible for training panel members, CPAC members and Safeguarders. For more information, please click on the following:

Training Publications