What does a community panel member (CPM) do?
Community panel members lead referral order panels - a meeting that takes place between the child who has caused the harm, their parents/carers, the youth justice officer and members of the community.
The meeting is an opportunity to come together to discuss the harm that took place and create a tailor-made individual contract to support the children to repair the harm caused through the offence/s and to reduce their likelihood of committing an offence in future.
The contract is supervised by our Youth Justice Service and a review panel meeting, which is led by the CPM, takes place every 3 months. An emergency panel will take place if a child fails to comply. The CPM and Youth Justice Service will evaluate and consider whether a child will need to return to court - this may result in a child receiving an extension or a different sentence. Alternatively, the panel may feel the child has completed all interventions on the contract and revoke the order early.
Panel meetings usually take place after school hours; however, where appropriate, they can take place during school hours.
Why volunteer to become a panel member?
Being a CPM is a challenging, yet rewarding, role. It can positively impact the lives of children, their parents/carers and victims of crime.
Community panel members can support children:
- decrease their involvement in offending or anti-social behaviour
- increase positive relationships with their parents/carers and
- support victims of crime to be heard.
If you decide to become a panel member, you will receive specific training on how panels work and your role in the process, restorative justice and effective communication with children and parents/carers.
Please note: Volunteers must be aged 18 or over and will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Register your interest
If you are interested in becoming a CPM, please complete
Volunteer Community Panel Member Application Form (PDF, 118 KB) and email it to Sarah at sabdulhadi@hillingdon.gov.uk.