The Scottish Government
Panel Chair, Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews
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Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews (DHSRs)
Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews (DHSRs) are a new type of review in Scotland, established by the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews Act 2025. Domestic homicide and suicide reviews aim to identify what lessons can be learned and applied following a death where domestic abuse is known or suspected, in order to help prevent future abuse and deaths. They are not investigations into how someone died and are not about apportioning blame; instead, DHSRs are fundamentally about identifying where changes and improvements can be made for the future as well as identifying good/safe practice and giving a voice to those who have died.
In Scotland, following a determination by the Review Oversight Committee or the Scottish Ministers that a domestic homicide or domestic abuse related suicide review is to be undertaken, the Review Oversight Committee will establish a Case Review Panel. Each review will be led by a Case Review Panel Chair drawn from a pool of Chairs. The Reviews will be comprised of a multi-agency review panel and experts in specific subject matter as required. Each Case Review Panel will be supported in its functions through a secretariat of an independent team within Scottish Government. We estimate that the average number of DHSRs will be in the region of 20 per year.
If you are looking for a rewarding and worthwhile opportunity, we would like to hear from you. Applications are invited from a wide range of people who have an interest in public service and tackling and eradicating domestic abuse. You will be provided with training to be able to serve as a Chair of a DHSR Panel.
More information about the post is available in the candidate information pack. Please request the pack from the DHSR team at dhsrmodel@gov.scot
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a DHSR Panel Chair will include, but are not limited to:
- Chair DHSR case review panel meetings, facilitate impartial and constructive discussions and deputising for other Case Review Panel Chairs as needed;
- Arrange an initial discussion with Police Scotland colleagues, where appropriate;
- Liaise with family members, friends, colleagues, community members and relevant others, including those advocating for the family if required;
- Enable families and relevant others to contribute and engage with a review, should they choose to;
- Keep families updated on progress throughout the review where they choose to be;
- Work closely with the DHSR Secretariat in the Scottish Government;
- Ensure the DHSR is undertaken in line with the agreed timescale range;
- Write objective, succinct and clear reports that accurately and comprehensively reflect the pertinent points, aligning to the review terms of reference throughout. This includes where good/safe practice and opportunities not taken and where there were any points of disagreement;
- Write a short summary report for any cases where a domestic homicide or suicide review is not completed;
- Submit all reports and associated learning and recommendation to the Review Oversight Committee;
- Contribute to the biennial thematic reports relating to a series of reviews to highlight pertinent points, patterns and themes as well as changes that have been implemented as a result; and
- Contribute to the updating of the statutory guidance.
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Role Criteria
There are three areas where a Chair of a DHSR Panel will be expected to demonstrate their competency:
Knowledge and experience
- Knowledge and experience of domestic abuse and intersectionality;
- Knowledge of domestic homicide and suicide;
- Knowledge of the wider landscape and operating context;
- Knowledge of subject-specific disciplines
Skills
- Leadership
- Analytical
- Organisational
- Communication
- Interpersonal
Personal Attributes
- Calm
- Challenger
- Curious
- Empathetic
- Flexible
- Honest
- Impartial
- Listener
- Open-minded
- Passionate
- Personal ethics/duty of candour
- Reflective
- Resilient
- Respectful
- Self-caring
- Trustworthy
More information about each of the knowledge and experience areas, skills and personal attributes for this role, alongside the level of competency candidates are expected to display against each of these criteria and the required wordcount for each element of the application, is included in the candidate information pack.
Candidate Background And Experience
You do not need to have previous experience of serving in a public appointment role, and we do not expect candidates to be able to demonstrate each of these skills and areas of knowledge to the most comprehensive level. You may have gained your experience through work, by being active in your community, in a voluntary capacity or through your own lived experience.
We value the benefits of diverse experience and perspectives and encourage applications from people from all walks of life. Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from people who are disadvantaged because of their protected characteristics and from groups currently under-represented in public appointments, such as disabled people, LGBTI+ people, and people aged under 50.
Remuneration and Time Commitment
Remuneration will be provided in line with the mean daily fee applicable to Tier 2 Public Appointments For Chairs. This Is Currently Set At:
- £331.50 per day
- £165.75 per half day; and
- £47.36 per hour.
Reasonable expenses associated with carrying out the role of Chair will be reimbursed.
We expect the time commitment required of Chairs to be up to a maximum of 48 working days per year. Chairs will be appointed for a term of 5 years and the appointment term can be extended one or more times for a period not exceeding 1 year per extension. Chairs can be reappointed provided their total appointment period does not exceed 8 years.
Appointment Arrangements
Public appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointing Minister will make a decision about whom to appoint based on evidence from the selection panel. Ministers may request to meet with candidates before making a final decision.
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Appointees will be asked to complete pre-appointment checks which will include a Disclosure Check and a successful security clearance to Security Check level. This post is subject to Civil Service Nationality Requirements.
The cost of pre-appointment checks will be covered by the Scottish Government. More information about the process of obtaining security clearance is available on the GOV.UK website
In addition, appointees will also be asked to complete and pass Non-Police Personnel Vetting level 2 (NPPV 2) and sign a confidentiality agreement.
Appointees will also be required to complete and pass a training course. Appointment is conditional on satisfactory completion of all of these requirements.
Location of Panel Meetings
Panel meetings may take place in person, online, or hybrid. Chairs may be required to travel throughout Scotland to meet with contributors to the panel, including bereaved family members, and there may occasionally be a need to travel to other parts of the UK with the agreement of the Scottish Government.
It is not essential that Chairs hold a full current driving licence, although you should have the ability to travel across Scotland if required. Reasonable travel expenses incurred within Scotland in relation to the requirements of the role will be covered. Where there is a requirement to travel to other parts of the UK and this has been agreed by the Scottish Government these costs will be met by the Scottish Government.
Interviews and Assessments
Interviews and assessments are expected to be held week commencing 14th and 21st September, either in St Andrew’s House, 2 Regent Road, Edinburgh or online. Please indicate your preference to attend the interview and assessment in person or online when you return your application form and please note that we are unlikely to be able to offer alternative interview dates.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview please contact the DHSR team via email: dhsrmodel@gov.scot
To Apply for This Role Please Follow These Instructions
Request the candidate information pack from the DHSR Team at dhsrmodel@gov.scot. This will explain more about the role, the DHRS model and the application process. We recommend you follow the ‘How to Apply’ section of the candidate information pack as you complete your application.
Completed applications must be received on or before Thursday 27th August at 23:59 (11:59pm).
If you require further support with your application, please contact the DHSR team via email: dhsrmodel@gov.scot
Equality Statement
Scottish Ministers value highly the benefits of diverse public appointments and people from all walks of life are encouraged to apply for these roles.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail, you are welcome to contact the Secretariat via email: dhsrmodel@gov.scot
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