National Safeguarders Panel Management Service

The requirement is for the operation and management of a National Panel of Safeguarders known as the ‘Safeguarders Panel’.

Safeguarders are appointed by children’s hearings or sheriffs where there is a requirement to safeguard the interests of the child in the proceedings. The Safeguarder provides the hearing and/or court with an independent assessment of what is in the child’s best interest.

Safeguarders are independent from all other agencies involved in the Children’s Hearings System and that independence of practice is a crucial aspect of the role. They are appointed by the Scottish Ministers. Portfolio responsibility falls to the Minister for Children and Young People.

The Contractor will make all the necessary arrangements to ensure national consistency in the management of Safeguarders in Scotland and that the required high standards are maintained throughout all Safeguarder appointments in line with the relevant legislation (Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Safeguarders Panel) Regulations 2012 and the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Safeguarders: Further Provision) Regulations 2012) and utilising the Practise Standards for Safeguarders and the Performance Support and Monitoring Framework.