Operation and management of the Safeguarders Panel
11.—(1) The Scottish Ministers must keep under review the operation and management of the Safeguarders Panel.
(2) In particular the Scottish Ministers must ensure that at all times the membership of the Safeguarders Panel is adequate for the purposes for which it is established.
(3) The Scottish Ministers must endeavour to ensure that the Safeguarders Panel includes persons from all local authority areas.
(4) The Scottish Ministers must monitor the performance of members of the Safeguarders Panel.
(5) Monitoring the performance of members of the Safeguarders Panel may include—
(a)assessing any report prepared by a safeguarder;
(b)recording the attendance of a safeguarder at children’s hearings or court proceedings under Part 10 or 15 of the Act;
(c)observing a safeguarder carrying out their functions, including at children’s hearings or court proceedings under Part 10 or 15 of the Act; and
(d)seeking the views of—
(i)a child in relation to whom a safeguarder was appointed;
(ii)a relevant person in relation to that child;
(iii)members of the Children’s Panel; and
(iv)the Principal Reporter.
(6) The Scottish Ministers must establish and publish procedures for complaints against—
(a)the operation and management of the Safeguarders Panel; and
(b)members of the Safeguarders Panel in the performance of their functions.