Parliamentary News Release

065/2003

Wednesday 5 November 2003

RECRUITMENT PROCESS BEGINS FOR SCOTLAND’S FIRST-EVER COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

A recruitment competition to appoint Scotland’s first-ever Commissioner for Children and Young People gets underway today. Importantly, children and young people will have an involvement in the selection process.

The appointment process follows the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Act being passed by the Scottish Parliament on 26 March 2003, with Royal Assent on 1 May.

The Act follows a recommendation from the Education, Culture and Sport Committee that a new and independent office of “Commissioner for Children and Young People” should be established by statute.

Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer George Reid said:

“This was a landmark piece of legislation not only for our Parliament but for children and young people in Scotland.

“Candidates will need to have a deep understanding and awareness of the problems and issues which face young people across Scotland, especially those who are vulnerable or socially excluded.”

Input of children and young people:

The views and input of children and young people have been of paramount importance to Parliament throughout the development of legislation for the Commissioner post. Prior to the Bill being introduced, the Education, Culture and Sport Committee carried out extensive consultation with young people, including a major Saturday morning workshop event in Parliament’s main chamber attended by around 100 children and young people.

The input of children and young people will feature again during the selection process. Candidates selected for interview will be required to attend a two stage recruitment process scheduled for mid-January.

Stage 1 – will involve each candidate interacting with a maximum of around 20 young people split into groups, with a cross section of ages, and a variety of backgrounds and experience. The children and young people will then assist in preparing a report on this interaction to help inform the Selection Panel.

Stage 2 – will include a formal interview, with candidates also required to make a short oral presentation to the Selection Panel of MSPs on a topic to be advised.

Background

The holder of the post will be under a duty to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people up to age 18 years, and those up to 21 in certain circumstances.

Length of Appointment: The appointment is offered on the basis of an initial fixed term of up to five years with the successful candidate eligible for reappointment for a further period of up to five years. The successful candidate will ideally take up their appointment no later than end April 2004.

Salary: The post attracts a starting salary of £72,000.

Equal Opportunities: This appointment will be made in accordance with equal opportunities legislation and all job applicants will be treated fairly, with respect and without bias.

All applications should arrive no later than 27 November 2003.

For further information the media contact is:

Eric MacLeod: 0131 348 5389
email: eric.macleod@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000

For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome on 018001
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk