Youth Offending Service Update: COVID-19

On 19th March 2020, the Welsh government imposed measures to help to stop the spread of Covid-19. Due to this, we have had to close the Youth Offending Service office at Mamhilad House.

Staff are continuing to work from home mainly, but are completing face to face to contacts where necessary on the basis of risk and safeguarding (using social distancing), for Court Duty, Appropriate Adult requirement and urgent administrative duties. Our telephone lines have been re-directed so that Business Support can answer all calls, if anyone needs to contact us.

Young people and their families involved with the Youth Offending Service have all been contacted. Plans have been put in place to continue with their Court Orders, Out of Court Disposals, Community Resolutions and Prevention interventions safely whilst ensuring that appointments, reports and safeguarding are continuing despite the different format.

Our service has adapted by increasing the use of technology, being pro-active and creative to deliver a service to support young people and their families/carers during this time. For example, virtual panels and meetings have been taken place.

If you need to contact us, please ring our main office telephone 01495 768300 or email us on Youthoffendingservice@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Please follow the Welsh Government Guidelines regarding COVID-19 https://gov.wales/coronavirus

Stay Safe,

Monmouthshire and Torfaen Youth Offending Service

Reparation

Reparation is an important part of the work the YJS carry out with a young person and plays a leading role in the rehabilitation process. Reparation is a practical way for young people (aged 10 – 17) to repair or make amends for an offence and the harm that has been done. The victim’s requests are taken into consideration. Reparation  can be in the form of  :-

  • DIRECT Reparation – reparation to the victim.
  • INDIRECT Reparation – to the wider community.

Reparation helps the young person face up to the consequence of their offending and in some cases , helps them to develop more positive interests, which will hopefully improve their future choices.

Unpaid Work

Young people aged (16 and 17 years old) can also be given Unpaid Work hours at court (between 40 and 240 hours) with their Youth Rehabilitation Order. As well as the payback to the community with practical tasks, this also helps the YOS to offer the young person practical and employability skills. In some cases an ASDAN employability award can be gained. This type of intervention offering skills and experience can provide a valuable contribution to young offenders to stop offending. The community will benefit form the hours worked by the young person. Unpaid work has been organised by the YOS since June 2014.

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