• Understanding the CHS role within the children’s hearings system and wider public services;

• Overseeing the preparation and approval of annual corporate, financial and operational plans to deliver the objectives and outcomes set out in the CHS framework documents;

• Agreeing challenging targets for the organisation and monitoring its performance;

• Supporting the National Convener and senior team to deliver the organisation’s objectives;

• Ensuring that CHS is following best practice in its governance functions;

• Delivering on the vision to put children and young people at the centre of the organisation’s work;

• Acting as an ambassador for CHS to build positive relationships with the children’s panel community and other partners to achieve better outcomes for children, young people and their families;

• Working productively with key partners (these include the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, local authorities, COSLA, Social Work Scotland and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland);

• Following the Board Members’ Code of Conduct at all times, particularly when performing the functions of the Board and on any of its committees, sub-committees and groups;

• Attending Board meetings on a regular basis and being well prepared by reading relevant papers in advance and, if necessary, seeking further information to ensure understanding;

• Upholding the principles of public life as set out by the Ethical Standards Commissioner at all times.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information, we would encourage you to attend an online information session hosted by the Chair of Children’s Hearings Scotland at 5.30pm on Tuesday 6 October 2026, where we will be discussing the role and the appointment process and you will have the opportunity to meet members of the CHS Board and ask questions. To register, please contact Frieda.cadogan@chs.gov.scot [Frieda.cadogan@chs.gov.scot] at CHS for further details and a link to the event.

You can also contact Katharina Kasper, Chair of Children’s Hearings Scotland, at katharina.kasperboard@chscotland.scot [katharina.kasperboard@chscotland.scot] for an informal conversation about the role. Further information about CHS can be found at www.chscotland.gov.uk [http://www.chscotland.gov.uk].

RESPONSIBILITIES

REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT

Remuneration is £208.99 per day, up to a maximum total fee of £5,015.76 per financial year, for a time commitment of up to two days per month. Reasonable expenses incurred will be reimbursed. The appointment is non-pensionable.

Board meetings normally take place at Thistle House, Edinburgh. The Board currently meets five times a year and its meetings are normally held in public.

QUALIFICATIONS

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

We are keen to hear from people with a range of skills, experiences and perspectives. Previous Board experience is not essential. We welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate sound judgement, strategic thinking and a commitment to public service.

Priority Criterion

The priority criterion is weighted over the essential criteria. Candidates who provide the strongest evidence against the priority criterion will be considered most able to fulfil the role.

1. Care sector experience: experience of working within or alongside the wider care system for children and young people; understanding of how care services work together and the challenges experienced by children, families, carers and frontline services; and the ability to use this experience to inform Board discussion and support better outcomes for children and young people.

Essential Criteria

Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they meet all of the essential criteria. The following two essential criteria are assessed at application and at interview:

1. Constructive and supportive challenge.

2. Communication and influencing.

The following essential criterion is assessed at interview only:

• Analysis and decision making (one week before the interview you will be sent a paper to read and will be asked for your main observations on it at interview).

The values that underpin everything CHS does, which are challenging, child centred, creative, respectful, open and fair, are also an essential criterion. There is no separate application question on the values: you will be expected to show throughout the selection process, in the evidence you give at application and at interview, how your behaviours align to them.

A panel of two young people involved in the children’s hearings system will also assess communication and influencing, and the CHS values, through a separate interview held on the interview day.

Desirable Criterion

Lived experience of the children’s hearings system. This will be assessed at the interview stage only.

Full details, including example indicators for each criterion, are set out in the Person Specification in the Applicant Information Pack.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

You will be asked to provide evidence in the online application against the priority criterion (Criterion 1) and the two essential criteria assessed at application stage (Criteria 2 and 3). Each response must not exceed 300 words. You will also be asked to provide a tailored career history.

To apply for this role, follow these instructions:

1. Download and save the Applicant Information Pack [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Childrens-Hearings-Scotland-Members-Applicant-information-pack.pdf] 

2. Read the ‘person specification’ and ‘how to apply’ sections in the pack, and prepare your evidence against Criteria 1, 2 and 3, noting the 300 word limit for each response.

3. Save a copy of your tailored career history to your device as one PDF. 

4. Navigate back to this job advert and click ‘apply’.

5. Complete the personal information and conflict of interest questions.