Being a Panel Practice Adviser (PPA)

Who are Panel Practice Advisers (PPAs)?

At Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS), our purpose is to ensure our hearings make child-centred decisions which respect and protect children’s rights and support them to thrive. We work hard to provide training, support and monitoring across our community of 2000 volunteers.

Panel Practice Advisers across our community play a key role in helping meet our aims. They provide quality assurance observations in hearings, offering independent insight into practice. Taking account of our National Standards, they reflect with Panel Members, noting what went well and identify areas for further development.

Working closely with our regional teams, Panel Practice Advisers also support the recruitment of Panel Members through the interview and selection process and with reappointments.

"I’ve been a volunteer Panel Practice Adviser since 2018. There’s something very rewarding about being able to work with panel members to provide them with support, encouragement and feedback".

The value of the Panel Practice Adviser role

Panel Members are given extensive training, but, as in any role, knowledge, skills and confidence builds with experience over time. The feedback and guidance that Panel Practice Advisers provide through observations offers a key reflection point in their development journey.

At CHS, across our National Team and our Volunteer Community we strive to have a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Observations taking place in regions also helps CHS Identify training needs across the country, helping ensure we deliver the best quality hearings for infants, children and young people.

'It's good to see Panel Members develop. Perhaps they start off lacking in confidence, hesitant to contribute to the discussion. You can then see them grow their skills and experience, until they become a strong member of the panel team'.

Could you be a Panel Practice Adviser?

Panel Practice Advisers display the same qualities that make effective Panel Members, reflecting a commitment and fitting with our values - challenging, child-centred, creative, respectful fair and open. Above all, you must care about the welfare of infants, children and young people and be committed to helping us achieve the best possible outcomes for them.

You’ll need an empathetic approach, offering advice and support to Panel Members. You’ll have a desire to develop, through our training and support, an excellent understanding of hearing procedures, understanding of the necessary Panel Member skills and knowledge. You’ll need to be methodical in observing and recording your conclusions.

Does this sound like a role that you can take on? Does this chime with you?

'The professionalism and competence of the Panel Practice Adviser was what I valued most about the observation. She was able to appreciate the challenges facing panel members. The written feedback report was clear, balanced and drew very specifically from the practice issues arising in the cases being heard.'

How to apply!

We are recruiting for PPAs across Scotland, if this is something you are interested in, you can find out more information via our application pack or contact us at chsrecruit@chs.gov.scot

Latest PPA News

Do you live in Dumfries, Stranraer, Hamilton, Aberdeenshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbarton or Inverclyde and interested in becoming a PPA? We are now accepting applications for those areas for the role of PPA! Submit your application in before Monday 7th July to be considered!

Application Guide

What happens in a hearing?

If you are visiting us for the first time, you may have lots of questions about what the children's panel is and what we do.

FAQs