Children First Safeguarder Panel Team

Children 1st is contracted by the Scottish Government to manage the national Safeguarders Panel.

Safeguarders are appointed either by Children's Hearings or Courts to safeguard the interests of the child to whom the hearing relates. Safeguarders are appointed from a diverse range of backgrounds and have particular expertise in different areas. For example, Safeguarders may be experienced social workers, solicitors, or teachers. We believe that peer to peer mentoring would allow mentor Safeguarders to share their skills and knowledge with peers who identify areas of development.

Our role includes recruitment and selection, training, managing appointments, complaints and monitoring performance of Safeguarders across Scotland.

We work with the Scottish Government, Safeguarders and all those involved in the Children's Hearings System to ensure that a child's best interests are at the heart of any Children's