Redress Scotland Panel Members

The role will involve making complex high quality and holistic decisions that are thoughtful robust and take full account of the unique experience of individual survivors of historical child abuse in care.

For decades some children in residential care in Scotland were failed by those entrusted to look after them. Scotland has taken steps to face up to the failings of the past by establishing a redress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse in case. The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 legislated for the establishment of a survivor focused route to redress for historical child abuse in care and in some cases their next of kin.

Scottish Ministers are now looking to appoint additional panel members to Redress Scotland to increase capacity for decision making.

About the Role:

Panel members will be expected to uphold the highest standards of impartiality and objectivity in making determinations to help foster trust in the work of Scotlands Redress Scheme with Redress Scotland and survivors. Panel members will be fully supported in the role and will receive training to develop a good understanding of and be closely guided by statutory guidance including the assessment framework.

We welcome applications from people who have considerable experience from a range of areas including health law justice social work and human rights. Additionally individuals with an understanding of the Scottish care system and child development or specialist knowledge of complex trauma are particularly encouraged to apply.

Essential Criteria

• A track record of delivering evidence based decision-making
• Working effectively with others
• Excellent communication skills
• Expertise working in emotional and psychological trauma law social work health or other relevant fields
• Resilience and self-awareness

Additional desirable criteria

• Experience of working on a decision-making panel tribunal or committee setting

This is a challenging yet rewarding role through which you can make a real difference to peoples lives.

Time commitment

Due to the nature of the panel member role the weekly time commitment will vary. However it is anticipated that a commitment to attend at least 12 panel sitting days per year will be required. Additionally there will be a need to allocate extra days each month for pre and post panel work training and other relevant meetings. We estimate that these activities will require a commitment of at least 38 days annually. There is scope to work additional days up to a maximum of 180 days per year depending on your overall availability.

Remuneration and expenses

The appointment is remunerated at a daily rate of 390 (non-pensionable). Travel and subsistence costs as well as reasonable receipted dependant carer and childcare expenses incurred in relation to the wok of Redress Scotland will be reimbursed.

Location

Redress Scotland operates as a digital first public body and does not have a physical office base. While most of Redress Scotlands work is conducted remotely occasional in-person meetings will be required at times to carry out the full range of panel member activities.

Interviews

Interviews will be held during April and May 2026.

Applicant information pack

Before starting your application please download the Applicant Information Pack - RS Panel Member Recruitment It provides more detail about the role and the criteria you will be assessed against.

How to apply

Applicants for public appointments must be legally entitled to work in the UK. Please see the applicant information pack for more details.

To apply select the Apply Now button at the top of this advert. You will be asked to provide your contact details monitoring information and a declaration of interests. You will need to upload the following as part of your application:

1. Your CV (maximum two A4 pages) including full contact details for three referees. A CV cannot be submitted in place of the letter of application and will not be considered on its own.
2. A letter of application providing clear evidence of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification. Please refer to specific projects or tasks and use a STAR(R) method Situation Task Action Result and Reflection. Your letter should not exceed 1500 words.

Important: Once you click submit you will not be able to edit your application. Please ensure you have all required information and attachments (CV and letter of application) ready before submitting.

1. In-tray exercise- complete an exercise designed to assess your ability to interpret information and apply it within a decision-making process using materials commonly referenced by Redress Scotland. You may structure your response in whatever way you feel is most effective but it should not exceed 1500 words across the four sections.

You can access the in-tray exercise here: Panel Member Recruitment In Tray Exercise Fill in form. Once completed please ensure you click submit at the bottom of the exercise page.

Closing date

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:59 on 15 March 2026. The panel cannot consider late or incomplete applications.

Further information

For further information about Redress Scotland: Please see where you will find key reports and resources on operational activities.

Do you want to find out more about the role of a panel member at Redress Scotland Sign up to an open session being held remotely via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 4^th March 2026 at 6:00pm by completing the short form here: Panel Members - Redress Scotland Fill in form

An additional open session will be held during the final week before the advert closes. Details will be added here once the date and time are confirmed.

If you have a disability and require an adjustment at any stage of the appointments process please get in touch with the Scottish Government Redress Scotland Sponsorship Team by email at