Volunteer Opportunities

PURPOSE OF THE POST · To sit on Youth Offender Panels, aimed at preventing Young People from re-offending and reintegrating them into the community. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES · Sit as one of at least two members of a Youth Offending Panel.· Operate using Restorative Justice principles, enabling young offenders to take responsibility, make reparation and achieve reintegration into the law abiding community.· Provide a constructive forum in which to take account the views and voice of the victim.· Draw up a contract with the young person and their family/supporter(s) to deliver the intervention needed to tackle their offending and the factors associated with it.· To attend panel meetings, following prior agreement with the YOS.· Maintain the confidentiality of information received as a panel member and ensure that information relating to young people, victims and others involved is not disclosed to a third party in any circumstances.· Treat all individuals appearing before panels fairly and not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnic or racial origin, sexual orientation, social background, religion, disability or any other irrelevant factor.· To be available to attend supervision, training and support provided by the YOS.· Notify the YOS of any relevant change of circumstances (e.g. if arrested by the police for a criminal offence).· Operate at all times within the health and safety, equal opportunity and safeguarding policies of Stoke YOS.· To undertake other duties commensurate with the role as and when required. SPECIAL CONDITIONS· Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.· You must be able to fully meet the requirements of the post and cover the geographical area required either by possession of a valid driving licence or access to public or other transport in line with the regulations of the Disability Discrimination Act. DURATION OF APPOINTMENT· Volunteers are normally encouraged to serve on youth offender panels for terms of up to three years. Towards the end of any period of three years' service, there will be a full performance review by the YOS. Subject to satisfactory performance the period of panel service may be extended at the discretion of the YOS and dependent on the needs of the panel and the availability of the volunteer. VOLUNTEERING HOURS· Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one case for the duration of the young person's Referral Order. REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT· This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Amendment Order 1986 and, as such, it will be necessary for a Submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.