Scottish Association Of Children's Panels

WHY WAS THE SACP FORMED?

The SACP was formed because it had been clear for a long time that panel members throughout Scotland needed to share in the development of the Hearings System and to be able to communicate with one another through a recognised national body. A great deal of work and political support went into the formation of the SACP. A national consultation took place and the Constitution of the Association was adopted at an inaugural meeting held in Glasgow in May 1977.

OBJECTIVES

Our Constitution states that our objectives are to promote the effectiveness of the Children’s Hearing System by:

1. Providing a means of communication between children’s panel members, local, national and international bodies.

2. Acting as a corporate voice for the views and needs of panel members in all aspects of the Hearings system.

3. Providing a forum for the exchange of views and experiences.

4. To promote a better understanding of the Children’s Hearings System nationally and internationally.

5. To organise events as appropriate to achieve any of the foregoing.

OUR MEMBERS

Our Constitution gives membership to all local authority children’s panels. It gives proportional representation across the country and allows each panel area to send a representative to the Council of the SACP. The number of seats open to each authority is directly governed by the number of areas in each authority. The Council also has a small number of associate members provided by the Children’s Panel Chairman’s group.

RUNNING THE COUNCIL

There is an executive body which consists of 11 members who are drawn from the Council membership. They are elected by the Council at the Association’s AGM each year and they serve a fixed term as laid down by the Constitution.

COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

The Council normally meets a minimum of 4 times a year which includes the AGM. The Executive meets as and when required.

(The above information has been taken from the SACP leaflet “How your voice can be heard..” which has been abridged).