An introduction to Children s Panel member training 2016/17

Transcription

1 An introduction to Children s Panel member training 2016/17

2 The Children s Panel life changing. Children s Hearings Scotland (CHS) is a public body responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, retention and support of Children s Panel and Area Support Team members. The national Children s Panel is the largest tribunal in Scotland, comprising around 2,500 panel members. Panel members are volunteers from local communities across Scotland who are recruited and trained to make decisions to help improve the lives of vulnerable children and young people attending children s hearings.

3 Contents Contents Foreword from the National Convener and CEO 4 Vision 6 Mission 6 Values 7 National Standards for the Children s Panel 9 CHS Training Unit 10 Pre-service training pathway 12 Pre-service 14 Review and Revision 18 Management of Hearings 20 Mandatory 22 Local learning and development 24 Expenses and accommodation for attendance at training 26

4 Foreword from the National Convener and CEO Welcome to the training prospectus for new Children s Panel members. Inside you will find course outlines and schedules for the training that is provided to those who wish to become Children s Panel members. The purpose of a children s hearing is to make good quality decisions in the best interests of vulnerable children and young people, based on their views and on the evidence and recommendations presented by professionals. My role, and that of the CHS National Team and the local Area Support Teams (ASTs), is to help you as volunteers get the most out of your experience and in turn make the best decisions for all children and young people who come to a children s hearing. Only by building a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, and continually improving and developing, can we be sure that we are continuing to deliver the best decisions for children and young people. Our aim is throughout membership of the national Children s Panel is to enhance panel members skills, knowledge and confidence to make these important decisions and to do so in a consistent way across Scotland. If you are selected to undertake training, ahead of appointment, training is divided into two parts (preservice and in-service) and takes place across a two year period. Pre-service training is an intensive programme of national training days, online learning, local evening events and observations of real hearings, as well as independent study and online assessment. Once new trainees have successfully completed pre-service training and been appointed as panel members and started to serve on children s hearings, Review and Revision training after a few months helps consolidate your newly developed skills and expand on your initial knowledge and experience. After around a year of sitting on children s hearings the final element of the training programme for new panel members, Management of Hearings training, equips you to begin chairing children s 4

5 hearings, and further deepens your skills base in managing the processes, procedures, and sometimes the challenging and difficult behaviour encountered in the hearing room. Completion of all stages of the training results in a Professional Development Award: Children s Hearings Scotland Panel Member. Throughout each stage you will be supported by the Children s Hearings Scotland Training Unit. As National Convener of Children s Hearings Scotland I am not able to be a panel member myself, however I have undertaken the full pre-service and in-service training programme, and found it to be a very stimulating and also a hugely rewarding experience. As well as the initial pre-service and in-service training, any fundamental changes to legislation or necessary practice during new panel members first period of appointment will be delivered through Mandatory training provided to every panel member, which everyone is expected to undertake in order to continue to sit on children s hearings. Attendance at local learning and development and networking events is also vital for panel members to meet, share practice and better understand the local context in which they are making decisions. This prospectus is specifically for those thinking of applying to join the national Children s Panel. It is designed to outline the significant time and energy commitment required to train and practice as a Children s Panel member, but also the numerous skills, wealth of knowledge, and depth of experience that training and sitting as a Children s Panel member brings. I hope it will be of use in helping you decide whether this is the right volunteering role for you. Best wishes Boyd McAdam, National Convener and CEO 5

6 Vision Our vision is of a Children s Hearings System where everyone works together, making sure that all children and young people are cared for and protected, and their views are heard, respected and valued. Mission Our mission is to improve outcomes and experiences for children and young people in Scotland who may be at risk. We will do this by supporting the Children s Panel, working with partners and using our influence to drive improvements across the Children s Hearings System. 6

7 Values Child centred Making sure everything we do is in the best interests of children and young people Respectful Treating children, young people, their families, partners and each other with care and consideration Fair Making sure that everyone is treated with dignity and according to their individual needs; that our information and services are accessible to all; that we provide a consistent level of service to all Creative Considering innovative and imaginative ways of approaching the issues we face in the work we do Challenging Not being complacent, but questioning ourselves and others to help us improve Open Listening, responding to and learning from feedback; acting honestly; ensuring processes are transparent; sharing information and being accountable for our actions and decisions 7

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9 National Standards for the Children s Panel The national standards provide a set of core values, principles and expectations in relation to the behaviours and practice of everyone directly involved with the Children s Panel, whenever they are dealing with others. Standard 1 - Children and young people are at the centre of everything we do Standard 2 - Panel members are well equipped and supported to undertake their role Standard 3 - Panel member practice is consistent across the whole of Scotland Standard 4 - Every children s hearing is managed fairly and effectively within the System Standard 5 - Every children s hearing makes decisions based on sound reasons in the best interests of the child or young person Standard 6 - Area Support Team members are well equipped and supported to undertake their role Standard 7 - Communication and information sharing across the Children s Panel, ASTs and CHS is clear, appropriate and purposeful Standard 8 - Functions, roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and understood within the System 9

10 CHS Training Unit The Children s Hearings Scotland Training Unit operates from West Lothian College based in Livingston. It is tasked with developing, delivering and monitoring national approved training to new and existing panel members as well as supporting training for Area Support Team members. National Approaches to Learning and Development The CHS Training Unit, working closely with the CHS National Team, Area Support Teams and the wider CHS community, aims to engage with panel members to ensure they are equipped to uphold the values and national standards of the Children s Hearings System. Nationally the CHS Training Unit strives to deliver this aim through: Developing reflective panel practitioners, encouraging panel members to reflect on hearings and to consider what went well and what could have been improved upon. An adult learning approach to learning and development where, after reflection, panel members can identify their own current training needs and seek out opportunities to meet these needs. Offering panel members opportunities to share and learn from best practice, primarily from within the CHS Community but also from other professions and tribunals. The use of evidence based knowledge and skills development including the use of primary research and academic publications. The increasing use of technology to enhance knowledge and understanding, allowing face to face training sessions to concentrate on discussion, sharing good practice and skills development. The deployment at training sessions of experienced and trained group leaders who are serving panel members, and help to facilitate small group discussion and skills development. All programmes are repeated in several locations and are not AST area specific, giving participants a choice of date and location. However it is anticipated that most attendees will chose courses that are most convenient to their location. 10

11 Structure and Staffing The regional training managers, the training staff and the national manager are all experienced trainers, with many being experienced former panel members. Although training staff can no longer serve as current panel members they engage in an annual programme of hearings observations and policy updates as well as continuous professional development around learning and teaching to ensure their skills and knowledge are kept up to date. The training staff are supported by regional administrators and e-learning development staff. A list of staff and contact details can be found on the Learning and Development section of CHIRP. The CHS Training Unit delivers programmes throughout the country served from regional teams based in: Dundee, Glasgow, Inverness and Livingston. Each area of Scotland is supported by a specific regional training unit team: North team Central team West team South and East team 11

12 Pre-service training pathway Children s Panel members take important decisions which can have a very significant impact on the lives of the children and young people who attend children s hearings. Panel members must take part in regular training to develop and maintain their knowledge and skills. CHS national training places an emphasis on self-reflection and continuous personal development. A two year journey The national training programme is designed to develop skills and knowledge throughout the first two years of volunteering as a Children s Panel member. It is divided into two parts: pre-service and in-service. As well as gaining knowledge of local resources and the roles of people involved in the Children s Hearings System, valuable skills and knowledge are developed around: the needs of children and young people within the Children s Hearings System principles and practices within the Children s Hearings System managing hearings To recognise the learning and development that new panel members undertake in their first two years of service, a nationally accredited qualification at SCQF level 7 is undertaken: Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Professional Development Award (PDA) Children s Hearings in Scotland: Panel Members. Elements of the PDA are marked throughout the Prospectus with a PDA icon: PDA During the two years of working towards the qualification, participants are assessed using a variety of methods, including a requirement of full attendance at national training days, observation of participation and preparation during each training session and through the online submission of a short write up at the end of each session or course. Support is available throughout the process, from the CHS Training Unit and Area Support Teams. 12

13 Year 1 Pre-service Before serving on their first hearing trainees must complete an intensive week training programme that includes an orientation evening, seven national training days, online learning, two or three local evening events and observations of real hearings. Participants spend around two hours per week over and above the training days on independent study and online assessment. Review and revision After sitting on hearings for three to six months new panel members attend a one day review and revision course. Here they are able to share reflections on what they have experienced during their initial months as panel members as well as reflecting on their understanding and knowledge, and exploring current policy and procedure issues. Year 2 Management of hearings After sitting on hearings for around a year (minimum of 10 hearings) and having been observed at hearings by Panel Practice Advisors, on recommendation by their AST, new panel members will attend a two day training course to prepare them to chair and manage hearings. As well as covering hearing procedure and law, there will be the opportunity to practise being a chairing member. Finally, within a few months of starting to chair hearings, they will be observed chairing a hearing by a Panel Practice Advisor. 13

14 Pre-service PDA Each year from January to April, new volunteers are trained and assessed before being appointed to the national Children s Panel by the National Convener. Who is pre-service training for? Pre-service training is for new Children s Panel volunteers. After a rigorous recruitment and selection process, over 530 new volunteers were invited to join the 2016 pre-service programme. How long is the programme? The programme takes approximately weeks, including pre-course preparation and continuous assessment. It includes: an initial orientation evening run jointly by the local AST and CHS Training staff seven face to face training days online learning, pre-reading and assessment after each day two or three local evening events organised by the ASTs three observations of real hearings 14

15 What is covered in the programme? Development of the Children s Hearings System in Scotland The National Convener and Area Support Team Role of the children s reporter Common grounds for referring children to a hearing Pre-hearing panels Start of the hearing Hearings and options Decisions and reasons End of the hearing Role of the sheriff court Role of Sheriff Role of the safeguarder Inter-agency relationships Role of lead professional Permanence planning Communicating with children and families Equality and diversity Keeping information safe Interpersonal relationships Children s needs Attachment and resilience Vulnerability factors Inter personal relationships Diversity of family structures Cultural awareness Substance misuse Offending behaviour Domestic abuse Children looked after at home Children growing up out of family care Children growing up in kinship care Child protection principles and procedures Education and additional support needs Children s rights 15

16 When and where is the programme offered? Course Code Course Location Day of week DAY 1 DAY 2 7GP01 Glasgow Wednesday 11/01/ /01/2017 7GP02 Glasgow Thursday 12/01/ /01/2017 7GP03 Glasgow Saturday 14/01/ /01/2017 7GP04 Clydebank Saturday 14/01/ /01/2017 7GP05 Glasgow Tuesday 17/01/ /01/2017 7GP06 Glasgow Wednesday 18/01/ /02/2017 7GP07 Glasgow Thursday 19/01/ /02/2017 7GP08 Bellshill Thursday 19/01/ /02/2017 7GP09 Glasgow Saturday 21/01/ /02/2017 7GP10 Irvine Saturday 21/01/ /02/2017 7DP11 Fife Saturday 14/01/ /01/2017 7DP12 Dundee Saturday 21/01/ /02/2017 7DP13 Central Saturday 21/01/ /02/2017 7IP14 Inverness Thursday 12/01/ /01/2017 7IP15 Aberdeen Saturday 14/01/ /01/2017 7IP16 Inverness Friday and Saturday 20/01/ /01/2017 7EP17 Edinburgh Saturday 14/01/ /01/2017 7EP18 Dalkeith Saturday 21/01/ /02/

17 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 08/02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /02/ /03/ /03/ /04/ /04/

18 Review and Revision Once new volunteers have successfully been appointed to the Children s Panel by the National Convener and have started to serve as a panel member, they are invited to attend this programme. Who is the programme for? Review and Revision is for newly appointed panel members who have been sitting on hearings for around three to six months. 18

19 How long is the programme? The programme consists of one face to face training day, plus pre-course and post course work, including: pre-course reading and knowledge revision pre-course reflection on recent hearings that participants have attended face to face training day post course reflection on how to apply the skills and knowledge developed What is covered in the programme? Review and reflect on practice observed at hearings The values and National Standards of the Children s Hearings System Communicating with children and families Communicating with professionals Hearings and options Decisions and reasons Contact and permanence 19

20 Management of Hearings PDA Once Children s Panel members have successfully attended hearings for about a year, their Area Support Team will recommend that they be invited to attend the Management of Hearings programme. Who is the programme for? This programme is for panel members who have been sitting on hearings for around a year, have sat on a minimum of 10 hearings and are recommended by their AST as being ready to chair hearings. How long is the programme? The programme consists of two consecutive face to face training days, plus pre-course preparation and post course assessment. It includes: pre-course reading and revision, and reflection on recent hearings that participants have attended two face to face training days post course reflection on how to apply the skills and knowledge developed, and post course assessment completion observation by a Panel Practice Advisor of the participant managing a hearing 20

21 What is covered in the programme? Review of practice observed at hearings with an emphasis on management of hearings Chairing member s duties: procedure and best practice Explaining purpose; who should attend; introductions; roles Explaining section 67 grounds Informing of the substance of reports Managing the hearing, dealing with difficult situations Summarising and preparing for the decision Decisions and reasons Explaining rights Upholding the Children s Hearings System core competencies and National Standards Considering contact 21

22 Mandatory Training will be designated as mandatory when it relates to changes in law, new procedures for the delivery of hearings, or other changes of significant importance to the Children s Hearings System which are essential for panel members undertaking their role. Mandatory training is usually additional to the standard national training programme. Mandatory training will normally be offered ahead of any such changes coming into force. Failure to attend and satisfactorily complete training designated as mandatory without reasonable excuse will: result in removal from rota; be a factor in considering reappointment; and may potentially lead to removal during the appointment period. 22

23 If necessary, a panel member in their first term may be required to undertake mandatory training if the topic has not been covered previously by training. The definition of Mandatory training in the summary above is intended to apply to all panel members. It will remain open to the National Convener in individual cases to recommend attendance at training where issues around individuals emerge either through practice observations, complaints or returning after a period of absence. ASTs seek to support panel members through these processes and this should be the first activity undertaken by the AST where there are concerns. Pre-service training and the PDA For panel members recruited after 1 January 2014, preservice training and the achievement of all stages of the PDA is mandatory. Failure to satisfactorily complete all elements of the pre-service programme including the two PDA Units will result in an appointment as a panel member not being made. Attendance at the subsequent Management of Hearings course follows recommendations from the AST that individuals are ready and have sufficient experience to undertake the course. Failure to satisfactorily complete the Management of Hearings programme including the third and final unit of the PDA after support will lead to recommendation for removal as a panel member. The expectation is that the majority of new panel members will complete the initial programme within a two year time scale. For a comprehensive outline of the pre-service training journey for new panel members, see page

24 Local learning and LOCAL development In addition to the national training curriculum, each AST area provides a programme of local learning and development sessions. These sessions are designed to complement the national training curriculum by providing panel members with locally relevant knowledge such as: local services available to children and young people information on the work of partner organisations e.g. Social Work, legal reps, and safeguarders talks from individuals involved in the Children s Hearings System or working with children and young people visits to local services e.g. secure units and children and families centres Local learning and development sessions also provide panel members with the opportunity to meet, network and share best practice. Expectations on how many local learning and development sessions panel members should attend vary from area to area. However all areas expect their panel members to be attending them regularly throughout the year, and the National Convener encourages panel members to take part in these events. Local learning and development programmes are the responsibility of the local Learning and Development Co-ordinator, a volunteer who is a part of the AST and usually a serving panel member. They will be supported by other panel and AST members to organise and deliver a programme of events each year. 24

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26 Expenses and accommodation for attendance at training CHS is committed to ensuring that panel members and AST members are not left out-of-pocket as a result of their volunteering, and to reimbursing all reasonable expenses in an accessible, fair and timely manner. Out-of-pocket expenses for volunteers are defined in best practice for the voluntary sector as including: travel expenses to and from where they are volunteering other subsistence costs e.g. food and drink training childcare Claiming expenses Claims are submitted by completing an expenses claim form. Some key things to bear in mind when claiming expenses are: Legitimate expenses are incurred when a panel or AST member is attending national training linked to the national curriculum or other local training linked to the national curriculum which has been approved by the National Convener The provision and booking of overnight accommodation in relation to training is undertaken by the CHS Training Unit (see box to the right) Ferry and flight costs must be approved by the CHS National Team, or a person with delegated authority from the CHS National Team, prior to booking. Costs may be paid in full upon production of a ticket for the lowest available rate. Panel members and AST members will not be reimbursed for any expenses for meals and refreshments when these have been provided free of charge by CHS or any other body (e.g. lunch at training events). This is not an exhaustive list of considerations when claiming expenses, and we recommend that when submitting expenses you should refer to the Panel Member and AST Member Expenses Policy. The policy sets out which expenses can be claimed, as well as the current rates of payment. We ask that panel members submit any expenses claims as soon as possible, and at most within three months of when the expense was incurred. 26

27 Accommodation for training When attending training it will sometimes be necessary to require overnight accommodation. Overnight accommodation will be offered to anyone travelling for longer than 1.5 hours to a training course. Overnight accommodation for national training is arranged and provided by the CHS Training Unit. Requests for overnight accommodation should be made to your local Training Unit team in advance of any attendance at training, ideally at the same time as you book your course. Volunteers should not book their own accommodation for training unless explicit approval is sought from the CHS Training Unit prior to booking. Accommodation booked in this way is unlikely to be reimbursed through expenses. 27

28 Children s Hearings Scotland Area 2/1/1 Ladywell House Ladywell Road Edinburgh EH12 7TB t: The Children s Panel life changing.