Jacqui Dunbar, our new Development Worker for Our Hearings, Our Voice came into post on 29 January and thought it would be useful to give you an update on her first 50 days in post…
Jacqui has spent the first few weeks meeting key staff and Board Members within Children’s Hearing Scotland, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration and partner organisations.
Jacqui has also visited the CAFCASS Family Justice Young People’s Board in London to gain a better understanding of how their national board operates. The Family Justice Board has been running for 10 years and uses a Commissions based approach which has led to a number of changes within the judicial system in England. The work of the Board has been a great inspiration and helpful framework in setting up Our Hearings, Our Voice in Scotland.
As a new initiative, there are a number of structures that need to be developed and Jacqui has been working on these including considering how the OHOV Board will influence the work of CHIP, SCRA and CHS, Data Governance processes, purchasing some digital tools to support the work and building positive working relationships with partners who will support the development of Our Hearings, Our Voice.
Most recently she has been focused on the recruitment of a Development Assistant to join the OHOV Team. The next stage will be working with young people to develop the recruitment materials for the first round of applicants to Our Hearings, Our Voice. We are keen that the Board is accessible to as wide a range of Hearings and care experienced young people as possible and we will work with partners to promote this opportunity widely.
Jacqui added: “Whilst Our Hearings, Our Voice will be a national group, we will start small and build up our membership up as we develop. We are keen that OHOV is accessible to as wide a range of Hearings and care experienced young people as possible and we will work with partners to promote the opportunity widely. It is also important that we have good support in place for children and young people who want to be involved.”
We will also be developing an Our Hearings, Our Voice website as a main platform for promoting and sharing the work of the Board. For further information please contact Jacqui.dunbar@scra.gsi.gov.uk