Are you interested in working with young people, helping them to get their lives back on track?
You'll be making a difference to the social, educational and personal development of young people during a challenging time in their lives. You'll also have the opportunity to develop and gain new skills, which can help with your career development as well as gain personal satisfaction.
You don't need professional qualifications. We welcome a wide range of people from different backgrounds and experiences who have time to offer, who are passionate about supporting young people to fulfil their potential.
Are you?
- Open minded
- Willing to learn
- Able to communicate with everyone
- Able to listen, not just speak
- Non-judgemental
- Able to maintain neutrality
- Interested in people
- Creative
- Enthusiastic
- Consistent
- Able to work in a team
- Sensitive to issues of diversity
- Inclusive
You will help
- prevent re-offending
- young people repair the damage they have caused by thinking about the effect it has on the person harmed
- support young people and their families to get their lives back on track
- support young people to seek positive activities in the wider community and plan for their future
We offer
- comprehensive training
- practical experience of working with young people
- the opportunity to learn more about Youth Justice Services
- a rewarding role supporting young people
- restorative supervision and reflective practice
In return we ask that you
- attend Youth Justice Service Induction and training
- commit to volunteering for a minimum of twelve months
- are willing to engage in peer reflective practice
- are optimistic and hopeful in your approach to supporting young people to live safe, healthy, and positive lives
Volunteering roles
Restorative Referral Panel volunteer
A Referral Panel convenes when a young person has been given a Referral Order at a Magistrates Court. The panel is made up of two volunteers who help the young person to formulate a plan for how they will go forward, supporting young people to make different choices and move away from offending behaviour. The Referral Order Panel supports young people and their parent/carer in thinking about how their behaviour may’ve affected others and how restorative approaches can be used to repair any harm caused.
The Referral Panel meets every three months for half an hour to an hour to monitor the plan until the Referral Order comes to an end. There is comprehensive training to prepare you to take on the role of Restorative Justice Panel Members and have the knowledge of the legislation around Referral Orders.
Time commitment
Referral Panel meetings will require a couple of hours of your time, you can decide which days you are available to volunteer. Most meetings are during the day on weekdays.
Mentoring is likely to involve a weekly commitment, with a young person, for an agreed period of time.
Currently, the Junior Attendance Centre runs at Frederick Street Youth Centre, Stonehouse, Plymouth on a Thursday afternoon and evening.
Find out more
We are pleased to have a full team of volunteers and will not be recruiting for some time, if you wish to talk to someone about volunteering, please call 01752 306999.
Process
You will be invited to an information session and an informal interview. Before beginning your work with young people, we require a DBS check and you'll need to complete a programme of training.