New panel members help steer young people from crime
Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service has welcomed new volunteers to help steer young people away from a life of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Last month, hundreds of people from across the county registered their interest in becoming panel members for the county council-led service with successful candidates taking part in an intensive three-day training programme.
It involved a number of modules covering a range of subjects such as exploring the stereotypes attached to and the actual reasons why young people offend; communicating effectively; Restorative Justice and making amends; role-playing; and understanding the work of the Youth Justice Service.
Since 2002, youth courts in England and Wales have been referring young people, who have appeared in court for the first time and pleaded guilty, to community-based Youth Offender Panels.
There are on average 15 panel meetings every week across the county, which take place at various community buildings throughout Warwickshire.
Each panel is made up of two trained volunteers and a member of staff from Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service.
Together they meet regularly with the young person, their parents or guardian, and wherever willing, the victim, to explore the reasons behind the offending and encourage the young person to take responsibility for their behaviour.
A tailor-made contract is drawn up with the young person agreeing how they will make up for the crime they have committed and outlining the work they will undertake to prevent them re-offending.
Jan Warner and Mike Watkins are two of the new panel members who completed training near Rugby last month.
Jan Warner said: “The course was an excellent way to prepare me for the work with young people, who are close to my heart. It is fantastic how the service involves the community when working with young people who have offended and those affected by the crimes.
“Some of the development work we witnessed included powerful examples of positive outcomes, particularly those involving victims and offenders together in a carefully managed face-to-face situation.
“This restorative justice approach highlights the relationship between offenders, society and the community.
“The volunteers can all see how this should be encouraged and that victims from all walks of life would benefit. While young people who have offended could initially be reluctant to take part in the process, both they and those affected by crime, ultimately benefit.”
Mike Watkins added: “I feel I am closer to the practical realities of the work that the Warwickshire Youth Justice Service undertakes and how it all fits together.”
Heather Shilling, Operations Manager for Warwickshire Youth Justice Service, said: “The training programmes equip the panel members with the right tools to make informed decisions about the best way to help young people working with the Youth Justice Service.
“Our staff are committed and passionate about youth justice, so we are delighted that the community shares that enthusiasm and wish them all the best for their time with us.”
To find out more about Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service or for further details regarding the role of a volunteer panel member, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/yjs.