Children’s rights pioneer appointed to tribunal board

Alan Miller, who has more than 30 years’ experience in children’s issues surrounding the law, previously acted as a consultant to the States of Guernsey ahead of the introduction of the Children’s Law that saw the creation of the Child, Youth and Community Tribunal in 2010.

He trained as a lawyer before working at senior levels within the children’s hearings system in Scotland for 20 years.

The system acts in a similar way to the Children’s Convenor in Guernsey, in that it receives referrals for children and young people who are believed to require compulsory measures of supervision. The reporter, a role Mr Miller held, then decides whether the child or young person should be referred to a children’s hearing, much like the Child, Youth and Community Tribunal in the Bailiwick.

Mr Miller’s other roles have included serving as a sheriff, a judge in Glasgow for 11 years, dealing with family and children’s cases, being a convenor of mental health and education tribunals, and as a consultant for youth justice. It was in this capacity that he supported the Bailiwick of Guernsey when it looked to introduce a new approach to children’s laws.

‘Ever since I worked alongside the States of Guernsey back in the mid-2000s, I have always admired the Bailiwick’s forward-thinking approach to the rights of young people. The defining passion of my career has been to deliver better care and justice for them and their families, which mirrors the fantastic work of the convenor and tribunal,’ Mr Miller said.

‘Throughout my work, I always sought to hear the voice of the child, and to encourage the parents or carers to work towards practicable and child-centred outcomes. While I believe that these values are shared by my new colleagues at the Children’s Tribunal System, I hope that I can utilise my knowledge and experience as the system continues to grow and evolve, with the support of the local community.’

The Convenor and Tribunal Board is an independent body with strategic oversight of the Office of the Children’s Convenor and the Child Youth and Community Tribunal, which makes up the Children’s Tribunal System.

Board members are appointed by the Committee for Health & Social Care and are also responsible for securing the resources required to enable the convenor and president of the tribunal to carry out their duties in accordance with the law.

Jane St Pier, chairwoman of the board, said: ‘When appointing a new board member, it’s imperative that they have knowledge and experience relevant to the functions of the Children’s Tribunal System, something which Alan has in spades.

‘Having provided the States of Guernsey with advice and support in the development of the Children’s Tribunal System, Alan is acutely aware of the issues we face on the island and is in an incredible position to bring the additional expertise that he has gained over the past 30 years, as the board continues to provide advice, guidance and support to the Children’s Convenor and the Tribunal.’

The Children’s Tribunal System safeguards and promotes the welfare of vulnerable children and young people who are in need of care, protection, guidance or control in Guernsey and Alderney.