Volunteer stresses the need for diversity

Julie Jones says being a Children’s Panel member is hugely rewarding

Just as the children and families whose stories are heard by the Children’s Panel come from all backgrounds, it’s imperative that so, too, do the impartial Panel members who listen and make decisions about their lives.

So says Carluke mum-ofthree Julie Jones, who has been volunteering as a Children’s Panel member since 2019.

“I came to Scotland 15 years ago from England, where there isn’t a Children’s Panel,”explained Julie.

“I was ignorant of the children’s hearing system until a friend told me about her involvement, and suggested it would be something for me to consider.

“After doing some research, I decided that it definitely was something I’d like to be involved with and applied at the next Panel member intake.”

Panel members’role is to listen and make legal decisions with and for infants, children and young people.

They are there to ensure that the young person is at the heart of every decision taken – because every decision, no matter how big or small, has a huge impact.

Stay-at-home mum Julie, 42, continued:“children’s hearings allow families to be heard by impartial Panel members with a huge range of backgrounds and experiences, and gives children the chance to present their views and opinions themselves, or with an advocate, when they may never have felt listened to before.

“The Children’s Panel gives a voice and protection to children who otherwise would be ignored. It gives children a second chance and allows them to be treated with dignity and respect, by people who have their best interests at the centre of everything they do.”

She stresses it’s important that Panel members are representative of Scotland’s communities, and reflect the diversity of the nation.

Julie, who rolls up her sleeves and becomes involved in numerous community activities and initiatives, brings to her volunteering role as a Panel member diverse interests and experiences.

She is an enthusiast of sporting activities – the more extreme, the better – and is an avid theatre buff.