Southam News

Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service is looking for community volunteers to help steer young people away from a life of crime or anti-social behaviour.

Since 2002, youth courts across England and Wales have been referring young people – who had appeared in court for the first time and plead guilty – to Youth Offender Panels.

There are on average 15 panel meetings across the county every week, which take place at various community buildings throughout Warwickshire. Each Panel is made up of two trained volunteers and a member of the Warwickshire 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 work they will complete in order to prevent them re-offending in the future.

Gill Grimshaw is a new volunteer panel member. She said: “I volunteered to become a panel member because I’ve had an interest in the principles of Restorative Justice for a while now, and believe that this approach really can make a difference to young people, their families and the victims.

“Becoming a panel member has been a very rewarding experience, as I have been trained to become part of the team that helps young people think hard about the crime they have committed.

“The Panel, alongside Practitioners from the Youth Justice Service, helps young people to work on the reasons behind their offending - for example, why and when they get angry or lose control.

“Doing this work gives young people a chance to change the way they behave and helps them stay out of trouble and also say they are sorry.”

“Having local volunteers on Youth Offender Panels, helps young people gain an understanding of the consequences of their crime and all the people it affects, while reminding them that they are still part of that community.

Gill added: “I would encourage anyone to volunteer to become a panel member because they really can make a positive difference to the lives of young people and their families.”

Heather Shilling, Operations Manager for the Youth Justice Service, said: “Panel members work incredibly hard with all involved to help turn around a young person’s life. They are also key to helping the victim feel that the most appropriate measures have been taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

“Panel Members are enthusiastic about youth justice, committed and spare a few hours a week to help the community, with the knowledge that the work they do really does make a difference.”

All volunteers must be aged 18 or over and attend an Information Day, including an informal interview, on Saturday 11 September. They must also agree to a full Enhanced CRB check and attend the initial 3-day residential training course from 1 to 3 October 2010.

To register your interest or to find out more about becoming a volunteer panel member with Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service, contact Jo Mann on 01926 736200.

For more information regarding Warwickshire’s Youth Justice Service, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/yjs.

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