Referral Order Panel Volunteer
Host Organisation: Youth Justice Service

Referral Order Panel Volunteers work along side the Youth Justice Service in Cheshire to support Young People, Parents/Carers and staff to formulate a contract of work that will help prevent further offending, improve lives and make amends for the harm done.
Opportunity Interests: Advice and Guidance Services, Children and Young People, Crime/Community Safety, Ex-Offenders and Prisoners, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender people, People who are unemployed, People with Drug & Alcohol Issues, People with Learning Disabilities, People with Mental Health Issues, Victims of Crime
Type of Activity: Coaching / Mentoring, Legal Work, Support / Care Work, Youth Work
Location: Alderley Edge, Alsager, Bollington, Cheshire East, Congleton, Crewe, Disley, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Middlewich, Nantwich, Poynton, Sandbach, Wilmslow, Outside of Cheshire East
Days and Times for the Opportunity: Monday EVE, Tuesday EVE, Wednesday EVE, Thursday EVE

Facilitate meetings with young people and parent/carer to hear about the offence, and consider SMART targets for the young person and YJS staff to work on during their statutory Court Order to bring about positive change.
Review any progress made - and make difficult decisions should the young person decide not to comply.
Be a representative of your local community, and have a local knowledge of that area
Offer availability to be part of a rota system to facilitate meetings in Crewe and Macclesfield from 5pm to 8pm (this can be once every 6 weeks)
meet victims of crime and support them in the meeting process (on occasions)
Volunteer Commitment: Long Term
Is a DBS check required for this role?: Yes
Skills and Qualifications Required:

ability to listen
good communication skill with young people and parents
be "non-shockable"
some understanding of the trauma young people can experience in early life
ability to persevere when young people are struggling to communicate or make the positive changes
optimism
local knowledge of the area
ability to keep things confidential - be professional
no formal qualifications are required however you are required to read reports and discuss the contents with the young person within the meeting.
Life experience is an advantage.
Are there any Gender or Age Restrictions?:
Do you have disabled access to the areas a volunteer would be sited?: Yes
Do you pay expenses?: Yes
If yes, for what and at what rate?:

45p per mile - documents of proof are required ie valid driving licence)
What support is available for the volunteer?:

training - induction 3 days mandatory and on-going
quarterly team meetings
dedicated volunteer co-ordinator
dedicated panel admin staff
What training is available for the volunteer?:

3 day mandatory training (provisionally booked for 18/19 Oct 19 - 3rd day to be arranged)
day 1 introduction to Youth Justice
day 2 what is a panel
day 3 restorative justice
there is specialist training available on mental health, safeguarding, harmful sexual behaviour etc