North Lanarkshire’s Children’s Panel needs volunteers now to take the vital step in committing their time to help and support young people in local communities.

Mark Hamill, Panel Committee Officer said: “Being part of the panel is so important in shaping the lives of vulnerable young people and can prove to be very rewarding for those who volunteer.

“You don’t have to have any specific knowledge or qualifications, we need people with a wide variety of knowledge and from different backgrounds who can bring their own viewpoints and experience to the panel.

“We need volunteers who care about young people, who care about our communities and through their own life experience can connect with young people.

“Becoming a panel member would suit someone with excellent listening skills, as well as the ability to put people at ease and assess evidence for each appeal.

"The decisions you will help make can have a lasting effect on a young person’s life such as being taken into care or moved into a loving and stable foster home allowing them to develop in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Panel members receive full training to sit on hearings in their own local authority area.