Part II Promotion of Children’s Welfare by Local Authorities and by Children’s Hearings etc.

Chapter 2 Children’s Hearings

Constitution of children’s hearings

39 Formation of children’s panel and children’s hearings.

1

For every local government area there shall be a children’s panel for the purposes of this Act, and any other enactment conferring powers on a children’s hearing (or on such a panel).

2

Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the recruitment, appointment, training and expenses of members of a children’s panel and the establishment of Children’s Panel Advisory Committees and joint advisory committees.

3

Sittings of members of the children’s panel (to be known as “children’s hearings”) shall be constituted from the panel in accordance with subsection (5) below.

4

A children’s hearing shall be constituted for the performance of the functions given to such a hearing by or by virtue of—

a

this Act; or

b

any other enactment conferring powers on a children’s hearing.

C15

A children’s hearing shall consist of three members, one of whom shall act as chairman; and shall not consist solely of male, or solely of female, members.