Commentary on Sections Part 8 – Pre-Hearing Panel Section 82 – Appointment of safeguarder
116.This section provides the Pre-Hearing Panel with the power to appoint a Safeguarder. A Pre-Hearing Panel may be arranged at various stages in the child’s case, for example, to determine whether an individual should be deemed to be a relevant person under section 81(3), and the panel has sufficient information at that point to make a decision on whether or not to appoint a Safeguarder. The provision mirrors the duties placed on a Children’s Hearing to consider appointing a Safeguarder under section 30. The Pre-Hearing Panel is required to state the reasons for appointing a Safeguarder.