Volunteer support for young people
Warwickshire County Council’s Youth Offending Service has had a great response to calls for new volunteers, who can help make a difference to young people in the community.
Dozens applied for a place on a panel member training course – with 27 people starting statutory training.
They, and other members of the panel, will work with a young person, their family and the Youth Offending Service to create a contract of work to help the young person stay out of trouble in the future.
The contract will also state how the young person will make amends through reparation through unpaid work or an apology – either to the victim of the offence or to the wider community.
Ideally, and if appropriate, the victim of the crime may also be invited to attend
The Youth Offender Panel – which has been beneficial to the victim where it has taken place.
Also, encouraging the young person to meet the victim, and take responsibility for their actions, means that they are less likely to re-offend.
Heather Shilling, Operations Manager (Interventions) for Warwickshire County Council’s Youth Offending Service, said: “Members of the community are so important in preventing youth crime.
“I am always amazed by the commitment and dedication of volunteers - their local knowledge is invaluable, the service they provide really helps those affected by crime and they do a great job.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Volunteers play a crucial role by helping young people stop offending, and make a real difference to community justice. The new recruits will find their new role very rewarding.
“I congratulate them for their hard work and their desire to cut youth crime.”
If you would like more information regarding the Youth Offending Service or how to become a panel member in the future, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/yot.
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For further information please contact Heather Shilling, Operations Manager, at the Youth Offending Service on 01788 331256.
For media enquiries please contact Stuart Goodwin, Communications Officer, at Warwickshire County on 01926 418605.
Editors Notes
PHOTO ATTACHED - new panel members start their statutory training (statue is of prisoner in grounds of Newbold Revel)
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.
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.