As part of her programme of engagement with Children's Hearings Scotland, Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise, met with the CHS Board for its September quarterly meeting.

The Minister recently made two video messages to support CHS's Panel Member recruitment campaign, reflecting the vital decision-making role of our Panel Members. At the Board meeting she was interested to hear about the corporate engagement work we have been doing with universities, colleges and Scotmid to promote our volunteer recruitment campaign.

Hearings redesign consultation

The current Scottish Government consultation was discussed and the Board shared the engagement work we have been undertaking to gather the views our volunteers.

Ms Don-Innes talked about the consultation being a wide public engagement and the importance of the CHS Community’s views being captured. She reiterated her commitment to taking forward the Promise, built from 5,000 voices from across the sector, including children and young people.

New legislation, commonly referred to as the ‘Promise Bill’, will be presented within the current parliamentary term and the consultation will link directly to this.

The Minister reinforced her commitment to children’s hearings and the important work of CHS. She expressed thanks to all of our volunteer Community and National Team for their work and dedication to Scotland’s infants, children and young people.