Purpose

To support the work of the Youth Offending Team in preventing offending and anti-social behaviour by young people.

General volunteer tasks and duties

General volunteer tasks and duties may include:

1. Taking young people to appointments, e.g. housing, social services, benefits, connexions, job centre.
2. Working alongside paid staff and young people carrying out reparation work in the community.
3. Working one to one with young people on restorative work or victim focused work.
4. Assisting young people attending group work
5. Mentoring young people who need additional support and guidance
6. Prison visiting and resettlement – visiting and writing to young people who are in custody and helping them re-integrate into the community on release.
7. Bail ‘mentoring’ – assisting young people on bail supervision and support to stick to their conditions and attend the police station or court on time, find positive ways to use their time, accompany them to leisure activities.
8. Prevention work with young people aged 8-13. Taking them to the library, out of school activities, educational or cultural visits
9. To maintain a professional, open, honest relationship with young people, ensuring they are aware of the boundaries of the relationship and issues of confidentiality and disclosure.
10. To liaise with YOT Officers and Duty Managers as appropriate and required.
11. To identify and communicate your support needs and make effective use of support mechanisms provided by the YOT.
12. To maintain confidentiality, whilst having regard for child protection and issues of disclosure.
13. To follow YOT procedures when claiming for expenses incurred as part of mentoring in a timely manner.
14. To observe City of York Council and Youth Offending Team policies and procedures during the course of all volunteering activities.
15. To attend and participate fully in volunteer training & development sessions, support group meetings and supervision.
16. To maintain accurate records and complete paperwork relevant to activities and make it available as required.
17. To maintain a non-judgemental approach and follow anti-oppressive & anti-discriminatory practices.
18. To take responsibility for own health and safety and follow YOT guidelines to reduce risks to self and young people.

Youth Offending Team will provide:

• Training and development for volunteers
• Regular supervision and support from the volunteer coordinator
• Out of pocket expenses
• Information about changes to regulations or policy that affect volunteers