New volunteers play a youthful role in reducing crime
Warwickshire has welcomed in a new group of community volunteers who are committed to tackling youth crime.
Diane Johnson, Head of Warwickshire’s Youth Offending Service, welcomed the county’s new Youth Offender Panel Members at an event at Newbold Revel, the Prison Service’s College in Warwickshire.
The ten new panel members, who are from across the county, come from all walks of life but one thing they have in common is that they are determined to reduce the rate of offending by young people.
Their role is to get involved directly with community justice, which means they sit on Youth Offender Panels for young people who have appeared in the youth court for the first time. The panel members work with the young person, their family and the Youth Offending Service to devise a contract of work which the young person agrees will help them stay out of trouble in the future. This contract also includes making amends either directly to the victim of the offence or to the wider community by way of an apology or some unpaid work.
Ideally and if appropriate, the victim may also be invited to attend the Youth Offender Panel. Where this has happened the meeting has proven to be beneficial for the victim in answering their questions as to why the offence took place. Encouraging the young person to face up to the victim, and take responsibility for their actions means that they are less likely to re-offend.
Youth Offender Panel Members are required by The Youth Justice Board to undertake the equivalent of seven days training before they can participate in panels. This is a strong indication of how important panel members are to the youth justice system which is designed to help young people turn away from crime with help, not only from the Youth Offending Service but with support and guidance from members of their own communities.
George Allen, a panel member from Nuneaton, said: “The training was very worthwhile.”
As a former paramedic, George is used to working for the public but he opted for the role of panel member to be able to help young people and the local community. Other panel members, who were also keen to get involved, said that they found the training enlightening, interesting and fun.
Diane Johnson, Head of the Youth Offending Service, said: “We are delighted to welcome in our new panel members who will be playing a crucial role in community justice. Not only will they help young people to stop offending but they will also give victims a chance to let the young people know how the crimes affect them.”
Referral orders were introduced in April 2002 to involve community volunteers in the response to and reduction of youth crime. The orders are now well established throughout England and Wales as the primary means of addressing offending by young people who are first time offenders and plead guilty in court. Youth Offender Panels include two trained volunteer Youth Offender Panel Members, a Youth Offending Service Practitioner, the young person and his or her parent/guardian and ideally the victim of the offence.
If you are interested in becoming a Youth Offender Panel Member please contact Jenny Hill, Referral Order Administrator, on 01926 736 200 for an information and application pack or for further discussion contact Jo Mann, Team Leader, who is also available on the same number.
Youth Offender Panel Members should be over 18 years of age and have
patience, good judgement and objectivity, good listening and communication skills, commitment, availability and reliability and the ability to relate to young people. They should also, in most situations, have a full driving licence.
All suitable volunteers undertake an Enhanced Criminal Bureau check.