Appropriate Adults
An Appropriate Adult attends a police station when the police wish to interview a young person, but their parents or carers either will not or cannot attend. The appropriate adult is there to ensure that the young person’s interests are represented and their rights are protected.
Mentors
Mentors can have a variety of roles, from supporting young people going back into education or training, helping them find a job, or improving their literacy and numeracy skills. Being a mentor requires taking an interest in a young person, working with them and encouraging them to keep working at the areas which put them at risk of offending.
Youth Offender Panels
Members of the public can also become a volunteer on a Youth Offender Panel. Each Panel consists of two volunteers recruited directly from the local community, alongside one member of the Youth Offending Team. They talk to young offenders, their parents and the victims of crime, to agree a tailor-made contract aimed at putting things right. This might include a letter of apology to the victim, removing graffiti or cleaning up estates and communities. The programme also includes activities to prevent further offending, such as getting young people back into school and help with alcohol or drug misuse.
Contacts for local Youth Justice Boards in London can be found on the Youth Justice Board website.
Chair: Frances Done
Chief Executive: John Drew
BME Board Member: Jennifer Izekor
Head office
Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
11 Carteret Street
London SW1H 9DL
Telephone: 020 7271 3033
Fax: 020 7271 3030
enquiries@yjb.gov.uk
