Referral Order Panel

Referral Order Panel

Posted for Newcastle Youth Justice Service

Posted by Volunteer Centre Newcastle

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Volunteer Centre Newcastle website to express your interest.

• We are looking for motivated individuals with a commitment to working with children and parents, exploring the underlying needs which contribute towards young people becoming involves in offending, to support young people to make better choices and to consider the ways in which the crime/s have impacted others. Volunteers will be required to demonstrate creativity and compassion in supporting young people to achieving realistic and individualised interventions whilst they are open to Newcastle Youth Justice Service. Volunteers may have an opportunity to meet a young person throughout their journey and to review their progress on their court order.

• We encourage and support our volunteers to develop a strong commitment to working with young people and their families without prejudice towards people of different ages, gender, ethnicities, cultural and social backgrounds.

• Volunteers will have a commitment to restorative values and principles and a willingness to learn and use restorative skills to ensure that panels clearly follow a restorative process, empowering everyone involved in the panels to have a voice and take an active part in restoration and rehabilitation.

• Being a panel member involves attending Referral Order Panels at Newcastle Youth Justice Service. A panel meeting takes place after a young person aged 10-17 has been to court following them committed an offence and pleading guilty. The panel brings together the child, their parents/carers, and the victim (if they choose to be involved), to discuss what has happened.

• Panels are conducted with restorative principles and practice in mind. Panel members facilitate the meetings, initiate discussions with the child, parents/ carers and the victim(s) to explore what happened and hear about the impact. The Panel will support the child to identify what they believe they can do to repair the harm they have caused and what support they need moving forwards.

• Volunteer panel members will work with the young person and their parent/carer to create an achievable plan which should include a range of goals, activities and interventions to repair the harm caused and reduce the risk of further offending. The plan should draw upon the child’s strengths and be mindful of any barriers to success. Volunteers play a vital role in contributing towards a positive outcome for all those affected. 

What skills do I need?

To become a Referral Order Volunteer Panel Member, you will be required to commit to an informal interview and an induction training process. There will also be a period of shadowing to build confidence.

You will be provided with training, support, an opportunity to develop your knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, Restorative Justice, Safeguarding and a chance to contribute positively towards the lives of young people in Newcastle upon Tyne.  The role will enable you to build confidence and gain new skills.

This role will require the following:

• Good communication and Listening skills
• Empathy
• Patience
• Non-Judgmental Approach
• An open mind
• Calm
• Good time management
• Commitment
• Reliability/Punctuality
• Adaptability
• Supportive
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Objectivity
• Problem Solving
• Creativity