The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2001 (the 2011 Act) makes major changes to the Children's Hearings System in Scotland. The Act establishes a National Children's Panel which will replace the existing 32 Scottish Local Authority Children's Panel. The 2011 Act transfers many of the duties and powers currently held by local authorities and centrally by the Scottish Government, to a National Convener who will provide leadership and act as a figurehead for Panel Members. The National Children's Panel will be supported by Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS), a new body established by the 2011 Act.
The National Convener has established Area Support Teams (ASTs). The ASTs will play a critical role in managing and supporting the Children's Panel at a local level, including responsibility for Panel member recruitment, selection, induction and practice observation and for rota management. They will report regularly to the National Convener.
Under the National Convener the three Ayrshire Children's Panels, South Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire, will merge to become a single AST known as the Ayrshire Area Support Team.
The list of current children's panel members as well as information on the Children's Hearing System is available to view at www.chscotland.gov.uk.