A CHILDREN’S Panel member from Clackmannanshire has spoken of how rewarding the unique volunteering role can be.

Natalie McCallum, 28, has a background in working with adults with learning difficulties and thought she could bring a unique perspective when she joined a year ago.

Last week, Wednesday, August 16, she helped launch the search for new members of the panel in the region.

Scotland’s largest lay tribunal, it improves outcomes for vulnerable children and young people who are in need of care and protection or who have offended.

Natalie, a support worker, decided to become a member as she wanted to gain more of an insight into the Children’s Hearings system and give something back to her local community.

She said: “I have always been aware of the Children’s Hearings System and wanted to learn more. I knew it was a big responsibility but I thought I had something to offer.

“I thought that one of the best ways to get more of an insight into how foster care works in Scotland would be to look at becoming a panel member and since then, my partner and I have made the decision to become foster carers in the future.

“I have a background in working with adults with learning difficulties, and because of this I thought that I could bring a unique perspective to the role. 

“Being a panel member is a time commitment, but I would urge anyone who was considering applying to go for it. If you are interested in working with children and young people then it’s definitely worthwhile.”

Figures highlight that, on average, over the last three years, a quarter of the total applications received (26 per cent) were from males.

This is a figure Children’s Hearings Scotland is keen to increase in 2017 to ensure each panel continues to have the right representation.

Information evenings will be held on Tuesday, September 12 at Alloa Town Hall at 7pm, and Monday, September 18 at Wallace High School, Stirling at 7pm for those interested finding out more about the role.

There are currently over 2500 volunteer panel members across Scotland, however new recruits from a range of backgrounds are needed each year to ensure the system continues to offer the best support.

Applicants need to be 18 or over and the deadline for applications is Tuesday, September 26. 

To find out more about becoming a panel member visit childrenspanelscotland.org