Kirkintilloch

The blip is a view from East Dunbartonshire Council offices. Very tranquil though I understand there is an annual festival at the a Marina which is great fun.

After a day in the office catching up after yesterday’s Board meeting I headed to Lenzie to be met by the Area Convener Allan Geekie, who took me to Kirkintilloch for a meeting with Panel and Area Support Team volunteers. The train was remarkably quiet and on time. I’m glad I caught an earlier one as the later one was cancelled!

We had a general discussion about where the hearings system had come from and where it might develop. As ever there is a balance between creating as informal and engaging a forum as possible while respecting everyone’s rights and the fact that it is a legal decision making body.

As ever hugely impressed by the commitment and willingness of volunteers to do all they can for children and young people. And the desire to be able to demonstrate that a difference is being made.

It was good too to catch up with Ian Hart, Scotland’s longest serving panel member who is still pressing for the system to be more child friendly and child centred. We agreed we need to flex our collective muscles to push the boundaries of existing legislation. No easy task but one worth exploring if it makes a difference for children and young people.