Conwy and Denbighshire Youth Justice Service Volunteer Opportunity

Published:

Summary:
Details of volunteer opportunities at Conwy & Denbighshire Youth Justice Service

Description:
Volunteering on a youth offender panel can allow you to:

  • Help prevent further offending
  • Work with victims
  • Help protect the community
  • Help young people turn their lives around
  • Restorative justice

The panel meets with the young person and their parents/carers to talk about the reasons for the young person’s offending behaviour and to discuss a way forward. The victim is encouraged to attend the meeting to tell the young person how the crime affected them. Youth offender panel members agree a contract with the young person. This will include activities that repair the harm caused to the community by the young person- crime. The panel is made up of 2 volunteers who are capable of representing the community, and one member of the local Youth Justice Service. There will also be a representative from the Youth Justice Service present.

It is essential that as a panel member volunteer you would be consistent and reliable. Good communication skills are essential and a non-judgemental approach to working with young people who have offended.
Panel meetings take place at the Conwy and Denbighshire Youth Justice Service offices, 74 Conwy Road, Colwyn Bay or at various other locations throughout the Conwy and Denbighshire counties, such as local libraries or community centres.

Volunteers will have access to regular support through the volunteer co-ordinator or the supervising officer. Volunteers will receive at least once yearly supervision sessions to enable discussion of training requirements and further development opportunities within the service.

Details of the application process: Applications can be made via the Volunteering Wales website or you can contact Elgan Owen Volunteer Coordinator on (01492) 523500 or elgan.owen@conwy.gov.uk.

Any training required: Full training provided, including Panel Matters, Restorative Justice and Safeguarding training.

Details of training: Those who wish to volunteer as panel members will be required to attend the Panel Member training. This will explain how panels work and your role in the process, restorative justice (repairing the harm done) and agreeing a contract. Volunteers are able to claim reasonable out of pocket expenses, subject to production of receipts. Volunteers can also claim necessary travel expenses incurred.

Start date: 01/05/2019