How can I help a young person at a police station?
When a young person is in custody at a police station, the police cannot usually interview them unless an adult is present. In most cases the young person's parent/carer or social worker would attend to allow the police interviewing process to continue.
The Youth Offending Team provides an Appropriate Adult Service if the parent/carer:
- is unavailable
- cannot act as the ‘appropriate adult' (eg because they are the alleged victim).
In such cases, a volunteer goes to the police station to act as the ‘appropriate adult' for the young offender.
Appropriate Adult Service
The Appropriate Adult Service is provided by the Youth Offending Team through Catch22, the national charity working with under-supported young people. Catch22 trains volunteers willing to help young offenders.
All volunteers have the opportunity to attain the BTEC advanced award 'The Appropriate Adult Under PACE 1984'.
If you are interested in volunteering to be an Appropriate Adult, see the
Catch 22 website.
How can I get involved in a Youth Offender panel?
Young offenders who have been given a referral order are required to attend a Youth Offender Panel. This panel consists of two volunteers recruited directly from the local community, alongside one member of the Youth Offending Team.
They talk to the youngster, the parents and (where possible) the victim of the crime, to agree a tailor-made contract aimed at putting things right.
If you are interested in getting involved in a Youth Offender Panel please contact the Youth Offending Team.
How can I become a mentor?
The mentoring service recruits, trains and supervises volunteer mentors across East Sussex to work with young people aged 10-17 who are identified by the Youth Offending Team as being at risk of offending or re-offending.
The role of the mentor is to develop a positive, trusting relationship with the young person. They meet regularly to provide support and encouragement. This relationship is designed to help reduce the risk of the young person re-offending. Mentors receive comprehensive training and support as well as the opportunity to achieve the BTEC Level 3 qualification in mentoring.
If you are interested in volunteering to be a mentor, see the Catch 22 website.
East Sussex County Council