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Those
served with a Referral Order must attend a 'Youth Offender Panel' to
decide the correct course of action for their offence/s.

What exactly are Youth Offender Panels?

Youth
Offender Panels are meeting where the victims and offenders can be
brought together face to face. Meetings are staged in a controlled
environment, with members of the Youth Offending Team and Community
Panel members acting as a neutral party between those involved in the
offence. The offence is discussed, and suitable remedies for the
situation are decided upon. A contract is then drawn up to address the
issues. Failure to comply with the details of the contract may result
in the case going before the courts for further disciplinary action.

Why use a Youth Offender Panel?

Referral
Orders adhere to the 'restorative justice' model of responsibility,
restoration and re-integration. The aim is to make offenders take
responsibility and make amends for the consequences of their offending.
This can lead to the offenders making restoration to the victim or
wider community.

Who are the Youth Offending Team members?

They
are professional workers, trained to work with young offenders and help
them to comply with the orders given to them by the courts. They can
also help offenders with problems that may lead to offending, and put
in place interventions to prevent people from re-offending.

Who are the panel members?

They
are members of the community where you live. They have been trained to
sit as Panel members, however work on a voluntary (unpaid) basis. Prior
to the meeting they may have read a report on you detailing the offence
and general facts about your background.

Working with the victim

Restorative
justice gives the victims of the offence a part in the process, the
victim may ask questions, receive an explanation, an apology and/or
discuss how the offender can make practical reparation for any distress
and inconvenience they may have caused.