Safeguarder in the Children’s Hearings System (North)

Do you care passionately about children and their rights being respected? Are you friendly and can you communicate well with children? If so, then you may be interested in becoming a Safeguarder.
 
Children and young people have told us that a good Safeguarder is someone who is approachable, friendly, shows that they care about them, and sees them as unique individuals.  
 
When a child or young person is involved in a children’s hearing or court case, it can feel really scary, and difficult and life-changing decisions will often need to be made about their future. Safeguarders are appointed by Ministers and have a unique and important role in children’s hearings and related court proceedings. Their role is to support the process to focus on the child’s best interests.  
 
“It makes you feel like you can trust them if they’re friendly (the Safeguarder). You can kind of automatically tell if someone is kind and if you can trust them.” (Young Person)
 
While skills and knowledge are important in this role, these professional qualifications are secondary to the core values of the person to children and young people. They want warmth and genuineness, and someone who can see them for all that they are without judgement.  This is the kind of person that we are looking for.
 
A Safeguarder ensures that the best interests of a child or young person are considered, that their views are heard and taken into account, and that their human rights are protected. The recommendations made by a Safeguarder can help inform and influence the decisions made at a hearing.

 

“A Safeguarder should be hopeful that the Panel or Sheriff will make the right decision for the child.” (Young Person)

Children First is contracted by the Scottish Government to manage the national Safeguarders Panel.  On behalf of Scotland’s children and young people we are looking for individuals who can:

• Keep a strong focus on the child or young person’s best interests in children’s hearings and related court proceedings.
• Listen to and engage with the child or young person while gathering and analysing relevant information, so that you can make recommendations that are clear, well-reasoned, and justified.
• Work effectively as an individual and alongside others connected to the role.
• Have the values, skills and experience to uphold the vision of the national. Safeguarders Panel to be excellent, transparent, consistent and respectful for children and young people and their human rights.

Applications are now invited from individuals who are motivated to undertake this key role.

We welcome applications from individuals who are willing to travel to Safeguarder appointments in the areas of Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Angus, Highlands, Moray, Shetland, Western Isles.

Pre-Appointment Assessment and Training: Candidates who are successful at interview will be required to attend all 6 pre-appointment (full day) assessment and training sessions. These sessions are part of the recruitment process. The first session will be held in-person in Perth, and the remaining 5 sessions will be held online using Teams.

Candidates will have the option to choose to attend either the weekday sessions (Monday – Wednesday) or the weekend sessions (Friday – Sunday).

 
Group One:

• Monday 10^th November (Perth)
• Tuesday 11^th November (Online)
• Wednesday 12^th November (Online)
• Monday 24^th November (Online)
• Tuesday 25^th November (Online)
• Wednesday 26^th November (Online)

Group Two:

• Friday 14^th November (Perth)
• Saturday 15^th November (Online)
• Sunday 16^th November (Online)
• Friday 28^th November (Online)
• Saturday 29^th November (Online)
• Sunday 30^th November (Online)

Salary: Fees are claimed for work undertaken. The position does not attract a fixed salary and fees and expenses for reasonable travel and subsistence costs are available for each appointment. Please note: There is no payment for attending Pre-appointment Assessment and Training, support sessions or on-going mandatory training (see Children First website for further details). However accommodation will be provided (if required) for the in-person session in Perth, and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
 
Question and Answer Online Session: We will be holding two Question and Answer Sessions online for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the role, prior to applying.  These sessions will be held on Teams on Tuesday 22^nd July (2-4pm), Tuesday 29^th July (6-8pm). Please contact the Safeguarder Panel Team for joining instructions.
 
If you are unable to attend either of these days and would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact the national Safeguarders Panel Team on 0345 604 4296 or email safeguarderspanel@childrenfirst.org.uk. You can also find more information on the Safeguarder Panel Team Webpages

To apply, please download and complete the attached Application form, Application exercise and Equal Opportunities form and email completed forms to peopleandculture@children1st.org.uk or send to People and Culture, Children First, 83 Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh EH9 1AT.

‘I’m grateful to be a Safeguarder because it gives me the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in a child’s life during some of their most vulnerable moments. It’s a privilege to be trusted with such a responsibility, to step into their world and focus entirely on what is truly best for the child.’ (Safeguarder)