A pre-hearing panel may appoint a safeguarder for the child to whom the children’s hearing relates.

A pre-hearing panel must record an appointment made under subsection (1).

If a pre-hearing panel appoints a safeguarder, it must give reasons for the decision.

Subsection (1) does not apply where a safeguarder has already been appointed.

A safeguarder appointed under this section is to be treated for the purposes of this Act (other than this section) as being appointed by a children’s hearing by virtue of section 30.