The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the draft Safeguarders Panel Regulations 2012.
Safeguarders are appointed by children's hearings or sheriffs when they think there is a requirement to safeguard the interests of the child in the proceedings. The safeguarder provides the hearing or court with an independent assessment of what is in the child's best interest.
Safeguarders are self employed and independent from all other agencies involved in the Children's Hearings system and that independence is a crucial aspect of the role.
The Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 introduces significant changes to the management of safeguarders, in particular it removes responsibility from each local authority to establish a local safeguarder panel and provides for the establishment of a national Safeguarders Panel.
The existing safeguarder service varies widely in terms of the quality of practice in key areas like appointments and monitoring. The intention in moving to the national Safeguarders Panel is to introduce clear and consistent arrangements for the management and oversight of the safeguarder service across Scotland.