Panel Chair, Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews

Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews (DHSRs) are a new type of review in Scotland, established by the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews Act 2025. Domestic homicide and suicide reviews aim to identify what lessons can be learned and applied following a death where domestic abuse is known or suspected, in order to help prevent future abuse and deaths.

They are not investigations into how someone died and are not about apportioning blame; instead, DHSRs are fundamentally about identifying where changes and improvements can be made for the future as well identifying good/ safe practice and giving a voice to those who have died.

In Scotland, following a determination by the Review Oversight Committee or the Scottish Ministers that a domestic homicide or domestic abuse related suicide review is to be undertaken, the Review Oversight Committee will establish a Case Review Panel. Each review will be led by a Case Review Panel Chair drawn from a pool of Chairs. The Reviews will be comprised of a multi-agency review panel and experts in specific subject matter as required.

Each Case Review Panel will be supported in its functions through a secretariat of an independent team within Scottish Government. We estimate that the average number of DHSRs will be in the region of 20 per year.

If you are looking for a rewarding and worthwhile opportunity, we would like to hear from you. Applications are invited from a wide range of people who have an interest in public service and tackling and eradicating domestic abuse. You will be provided with training to be able to serve as a Chair of a DHSR Panel.

• The responsibilities of a DHSR Panel Chair will include, but are not limited to:
• Chair DHSR case review panel meetings, facilitate impartial and constructive discussions and deputising for other Case Review Panel Chairs as needed;
• Arrange an initial discussion with Police Scotland colleagues, where appropriate;
• Liaise with family members, friends, colleagues, community members and relevant others, including those advocating for the family if required;
• Enable families and relevant others to contribute and engage with a review, should they choose to;
• Keep families updated on progress throughout the review where they choose to be;
• Work closely with the DHSR Secretariat in the Scottish Government;
• Ensure the DHSR is undertaken in line with the agreed timescale range;
• Write objective, succinct and clear reports that accurately and comprehensively reflect the pertinent points, aligning to the review terms of reference throughout. This includes where good/ safe practice and opportunities not taken and where there were any points of disagreement;
• Write a short summary report for any cases where a domestic homicide or suicide review is not completed;
• Submit all reports and associated learning and recommendation to the Review Oversight Committee;
• Contribute to the biennial thematic reports relating to a series of reviews to highlight pertinent points, patterns and themes as well as changes that have been implemented as a result; and
• Contribute to the updating of the statutory guidance.

There are three areas where a Chair of a DHSR Panel will be expected to demonstrate their competency:

• Knowledge and experience, including all of:
  • Knowledge and experience of domestic abuse and intersectionality;
  • Knowledge of domestic homicide and suicide;
  • Knowledge of the wider landscape and operating context;
  • Knowledge of subject-specific disciplines
• Skills, including all of:
  • Leadership
  • Analytical
  • Organisational
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal
• Personal Attributes, including some but not all of:
  • Calm
  • Challenger
  • Curious
  • Empathetic
  • Flexible
  • Honest
  • Impartial
  • Listener
  • Open-minded
  • Passionate
  • Personal ethics/duty of candour
  • Reflective
  • Resilient
  • Respectful
  • Self-caring
  • Trustworthy

More information about each of the knowledge and experience areas, skills and personal attributes for this role, alongside the level of competency candidates are expected to display against each of these criteria and the required wordcount for each element of the application, is included in the candidate information pack.

You do not need to have previous experience of serving in a public appointment role, and we do not expect candidates to be able to demonstrate each of these skills and areas of knowledge to the most comprehensive level. You may have gained your experience through work, by being active in your community, in a voluntary capacity or through your own lived experience.

We value the benefits of diverse experience and perspectives and encourage applications from people from all walks of life. Scottish Ministers particularly welcome applications from people who are disadvantaged because of their protected characteristics and from groups currently under-represented in public appointments, such as disabled people, LGBTI+ people, and people aged under 50.

Remuneration will be provided in line with the mean daily fee…