Commentary on Sections Part 4 – Safeguarders Section 32 – The Safeguarders Panel
34.Safeguarders are independent persons appointed by a court or Children’s Hearing when it is considered necessary to safeguard the interests of the child in cases before them. Subsection (1) places a duty on the Scottish Ministers to establish a national panel of Safeguarders, to be known as the Safeguarders Panel. Subsection (2) enables the Scottish Ministers to make regulations in relation to the Safeguarder Panel, including the establishment and management of the Safeguarders Panel and the appointment, qualifications and training of members of the Panel. These regulations will be subject to negative procedure. Subsection (3) provides the Scottish Ministers with the power to enter into arrangements, contractual or otherwise, for the management of the Safeguarders Panel with another organisation other than SCRA or CHS.