Leader of H&F Cllr Stephen Cowan (centre) and Cllr Alexandra Sanderson, H&F Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (centre right) with council staff outside 145 King Street
We are looking for volunteers to join our Youth Justice Service as community panel members and work with young people to support them in not reoffending.
The role
Community panel members facilitate youth justice panel meetings between young people who have offended, the Youth Justice Service and victims of crime.
Community panel members:
- review the circumstances of the offence, consider its impact and agree a contract with a young person
- meet every two to three months to review a young person's progress and compliance with the contract
- review and consider whether a young person should go back to court if they are not following the terms of the agreed contract.
The role will not include befriending or mentoring young people.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for volunteers who are committed to working with young people. You need to be able to:
- commit to a minimum of two panel meetings a month (which last around one hour)
- attend a post meeting/debrief session (this can take up to 30 minutes)
- attend three monthly reviews for young people (which last around 30 minutes)
- attend any emergency meetings (which last around 45 minutes) or extension meetings (which last around one hour)
- commit for at least 12 months
- give consent to having a DBS check (we will apply on your behalf).
Benefits
We will give you:
- reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses
- training, guidance and support in the areas of youth justice and restorative approaches
- the chance to develop new skills and gain experience in youth justice
- the opportunity to make a difference to young people's lives and the local community in the borough
- a reference can be given after six months of being a panel member.
Get in touch
Please submit your online application by Tuesday 22 August 2023.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer community panel member, please email Polly at polly.green@lbhf.gov.uk, or call us on 07740 947 742, and we will send you further details.
This is challenging, but in the long run, very rewarding work.
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