children's panel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / LowFormal, Legal/Administrative, Institutional
Quick answer
What does “children's panel” mean?
A group of adults, often lay persons with relevant training, who make decisions about the welfare, care, or legal matters concerning children.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of adults, often lay persons with relevant training, who make decisions about the welfare, care, or legal matters concerning children.
In a specific context (notably Scotland), it refers to the Children's Hearings System, a statutory tribunal that deals with children's protection and justice matters. More broadly, it can refer to any advisory or decision-making committee focused on children's issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, particularly Scotland, 'Children's Panel' is a formal, capitalised term for a specific legal tribunal system (Children's Hearings). In the US, the term is less institutionalised and more generic, often referring to advisory boards, focus groups, or committees (e.g., 'a children's panel on education policy').
Connotations
UK (Scotland): Strong connotations of child protection law, welfare, and compulsory intervention. US/Generic: Connotes consultation, expertise, and advisory capacity.
Frequency
Much more frequent and specific in UK (Scottish) legal/administrative contexts. Rare in everyday American English.
Grammar
How to Use “children's panel” in a Sentence
[Subject] was referred to the children's panel.The children's panel decided that [clause].[Person] sits/serves on the children's panel.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “children's panel” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The children's-panel system is unique to Scotland.
- She has children's-panel experience.
American English
- The agency formed a children's-panel initiative.
- He contributed to the children's-panel report.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in social work, law, and public policy papers discussing child welfare systems.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation unless discussing specific local governance or a news story.
Technical
Core term in Scottish family law and UK social services; specific term of art.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “children's panel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “children's panel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “children's panel”
- Using 'children panel' (incorrect possessive).
- Capitalising unnecessarily when not referring to the official Scottish system.
- Confusing it with a 'focus group of children'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A children's panel (especially in Scotland) is often less formal and more welfare-focused than a traditional court, involving trained lay members rather than judges.
Typically, no. The term refers to a panel of adults making decisions *about* children. A group of children giving opinions would more likely be called a 'youth council' or 'children's forum'.
Yes, but less formally. Other countries may have 'children's panels' as advisory bodies, but the specific, capitalised term is strongly associated with the Scottish legal system.
Only when referring specifically to the official tribunal system, e.g., 'the Scottish Children's Panel'. When used generically ('the council set up a children's panel'), lowercase is correct.
A group of adults, often lay persons with relevant training, who make decisions about the welfare, care, or legal matters concerning children.
Children's panel is usually formal, legal/administrative, institutional in register.
Children's panel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.drənz ˈpæn.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.drənz ˈpæn.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PANEL of judges, but their bench is lower and decorated with toys – it's a special panel for CHILDREN's cases.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS A PROTECTIVE SHIELD (the panel acts as a protective structure for the child).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most specific and accurate definition of 'Children's Panel' in its primary institutional context?