Residents from across Falkirk, Stirling, West Lothian and Clackmannanshire are being asked to help vulnerable children and young people who are facing difficult circumstances in their lives.

This week Children’s Hearings Scotland is searching for individuals aged 18 or over from a wide range of different backgrounds to supplement their existing local children’s panels.

As part of a national campaign, Children’s Hearings Scotland is hosting a number of information evenings to recruit volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of young people.

George Anderson, Area Convener of Central and West Lothian Area Support Team said:

 The Children’s Panel exists to provide care and protection to children and young people and to offer support and guidance when a child has been referred to us. Our members work directly with the child and their families to ensure that any decision is made with the best interests of the child in mind.”

Children can appear before a Children’s Hearing for a number of reasons such as being beyond parental control; being in moral danger; having been physically, emotionally or sexually abused, or having truanted or offended.

Full training is provided to those selected as members. Travel and childcare expenses are met and members may be eligible for a contribution towards loss of earnings when they are taking part in Children’s Hearings work.

The information evenings will be held at the following locations:

• Wallace High School, Stirling – Monday 23rd September 2013
• Bathgate Academy – Thursday 26th September 2013
• Municipal Buildings, Falkirk – Tuesday 1st October 2013
• Whitburn Academy – Thursday 3rd October 2013
• Raploch Campus, Stirling – Tuesday 8th October 2013
• Grangemouth High School – Wednesday 9th October 2013
• Civic Centre, Livingston – Thursday 10th October 2013

To attend an information evening and pick up an application pack, register with Hazel Oliver on 01324 506117.

The closing date for applications is Friday 18 October 2013. –