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Things to consider

The Children's Hearings system depends on a supportive partnership between children's panel members and their employers.

Your job

The very nature of panel membership means that members must be able to attend hearings at times when they would normally be at work. It is crucial that your employer appreciates the value of the commitment that you would be making when you volunteer for the role.

Hearings are statutory tribunals and it is an employee's statutory right to be allowed 'reasonable' time off to attend hearings and training.

However, the enthusiastic and willing co-operation of employers is essential for the system to work effectively.

Although you will have to attend hearings during working hours, your employer is likely to benefit from the training you'll receive as a panel member, as many of the skills developed are useful in the workplace.

Loss of earnings

While most employers support panel members' activities on full pay, a few others do not. If paid time off is not available, members can claim travel and some other expenses as well as an allowance for loss of earnings - although its unlikely you'll be fully compensated for actual loss of earnings.