NHS thanks youngsters for their role in key appointment

07/10/2009

Four teenagers have been thanked for their role in helping to appoint a key NHS official in Gloucestershire.

The 15 to 17-year-olds formed an afterschool panel which interviewed candidates for the post of Service Director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with the ²gether NHS Foundation Trust.
They then met up with members of the adult interview panel to discuss the strengths of each candidate.

The children were involved in the recruitment process as part of the Action for Children Participation Project which has supported children and young people aged five to 18 in Gloucestershire since 2002.

Stuart Conlon, who was appointed CAMHS Service Director following the recruitment process, said: “We must listen to Gloucestershire’s children and young people in order to provide services that best meet their needs. That is why we actively encourage their feedback and involvement.

“We are therefore very grateful for the time and effort that these four young people put in.”

The teenagers received two training sessions in recruitment and selection, including confidentiality, prejudice and discrimination and interview techniques. Their questions included “Give us an example of when you have listened to children and young people” and candidates reported that they felt more nervous being questioned by the young interview panel than by the adults.

Corrina Chartier, Action for Children Project Manager, said: “Participation is central to the work of Action for Children – keeping children’s voices at the heart all we do. We were therefore delighted to be able to work with the ²gether NHS Foundation Trust to involve young people in this important recruitment and selection process.

“Action for Children supports and speaks out for the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK and we aim to involve children and young people in a variety of experiences, opportunities and decisions that affect their lives and their ability to fulfil their potential.”

Getting involved: Caitlin Boor (front left) and Daisy Doherty pictured holding their certificates with (from left) Corrina Chartier (Action for Children Project Manager), Kathy Smith (CAMHS Deputy Service Manager), Stuart Conlon (CAMHS Service Director), ²gether Chief Executive Shaun Clee and Alexia Holloway (Action for Children Participation Worker)