Volunteering
Isle of Wight Youth Justice Service Volunteering
Help us repair the harm caused by crime
Are you interested in volunteering with children and helping them and the local community to reduce crime?
Who are we?
The Isle of Wight Youth Justice Service seeks to bring together the victim, the child who has offended, and the wider community. This may create an opportunity for the child to make amends and repair the harm that they have caused.
What do we do?
By working with the victims, the child and the community, we seek to allow everyone the opportunity to explain what happened, how they felt at the time of the offence, how they feel now and what can be done to repair the harm that was caused. We aim to give victims the chance to have their questions about the offence answered and regain some control by having a voice within the restorative justice process.
Restorative justice is a voluntary process for both the victim and the offender. All parties will have the opportunity to decide on how the harm caused will be repaired. This is called reparation. There are several ways in which reparation can be carried out:
Direct reparation
Where the victim and child will attend a restorative meeting together.
Indirect reparation
Where a child may write a letter of apology.
Community reparation
Where a child will attend and be involved in a community project. Volunteers can choose to help support any of the above forms of reparation.
We are looking for enthusiastic and committed people to volunteer with the Isle of Wight Youth Justice Service.
What our volunteers do
Represent the Isle of Wight Youth Justice Service at Referral Order panel meetings. You will be helping to support the restorative justice process and the rehabilitation of children who offend. You will be required to work alongside other volunteers and service staff. Where you will facilitate meetings where a contract will be agreed with the child, taking into account their victims views, in order to help the child repair the harm they have caused and move on successfully when their order is completed.
Provide practical support to children carrying out reparation in the local community. This can include gardening, basic decorating; helping out with local charities and cleaning up areas so you need to be happy being hands on and not just supervising.
Who can volunteer?
Volunteers are vitally important to us and we are looking for enthusiastic and committed people who would like to make a difference to the victims of children’s crimes and become an integral part in helping children move on.
If you need the form in a different format, email YouthJusticeService@iow.gov.uk
Training
As a volunteer you will receive training. This will consist of three days restorative justice training, one day of induction training alongside some e-learning. All of which is mandatory. You will also receive access to further training and on-going supervision and support.
Talk to us
For more information or to find out how the Isle of Wight Youth Justice Service works with children in other ways call 01983 823011
