Volunteering

Referral Order panels provide children with an opportunity to put forward the reasons for their offending and how they feel about the offence following sentencing at court. The panel will work with the child to write a contract to make reparation to the community, or directly to the victim, for the offending behaviour, as well as looking at tackling the issues surrounding the offending behaviour.

This is a real opportunity for local communities and the victims of crime to get involved directly in improving outcomes for vulnerable children in Suffolk. Referral Order panels consist of a youth justice service case holder and two volunteer panel members.

Local people are invited to volunteer on our Referral Order panels as representatives of the community. The aim is to engage the child to talk about their offending behaviour and identify factors that may help them to desist further offending.

Referral Order panels can be both challenging and rewarding and this is a role that would be beneficial to those wishing to gain experience of working with children.

Restorative justice allows for communication between those affected by a crime and those responsible for the crime. The aim is to help everyone who is affected by the crime to have a role in repairing harm and identifying positive ways forward.