Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service is a multi-agency team from the Police, Probation, Social Services, Health and Education.
It is part of the Youth Justice System developed by the Home Office and overseen by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.
The Youth Justice System also includes youth courts and the institutions in which young people are held in custody, if that is judged necessary.
The aim of the Youth Justice Board is to prevent offending by children and young people. It delivers this by:
- preventing crime and the fear of crime
- identifying and dealing with young offenders
- reducing reoffending
The team works from three locations, two in the north of the county and one in the south.
Volunteer community panel
If the following applies to you then you could become a volunteer community panel member:
- over 18 years of age
- creative
- good at listening and talking
- looking for a challenge
- concerned about crime in your local community
- want to make a difference
Duties of the panel
Referral panels are a new way of dealing with young people who start committing crimes.
Local people will take the lead in:
- ensuring young people take responsibility for their behaviour
- helping put things right for those harmed
- promoting young people’s place in their community
- helping young people to change their behaviour for good
Panels will give those harmed a chance to let the young person know how the crime has affected them and what might help put things right. Panel members will then talk and listen to everyone to agree a plan of action.
The plan of action will be designed to put right the harm already done and prevent future offending. The panel will meet to check progress and may refer to the youth court if the young person is unreasonable.
Contact Bedfordshire Youth Offending Team
Bedfordshire Youth Offending Team
Enterprise House
36 Old Ford End Road
Bedford
MK40 4PF
Tel: 01234 276400