The Isle of Wight Youth Offending Team is part of a multi-agency organisation. This organisation is run by the Isle of Wight Council.
The Youth Offending Team (YOT) is a multi-agency team which is co-ordinated by a local authority, which is overseen by the Youth Justice Board. It deals with young offenders, sets up community services and reparation plans, and attempts to prevent youth recidivism and incarceration. YOTs were set up following the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act with the intention of reducing the risk of young people offending and re-offending, and to provide counsel and rehabilitation to those who do offend. YOT’s engage in a wide variety of work with young offenders (those under 18 years of age) in order to achieve their aims. YOT's supervise young people who have been ordered by the court to serve sentences in the community or in the secure estate. Sometimes, teams organise meetings between offenders and victims to encourage apologies and reparation.
The role of the Isle of Wight Youth Offending Team (YOT) is to reduce offending by children and young people aged 10-17 and to have a preventive role in reducing the risks of offending by all young people. This includes safeguarding young people where there is specific vulnerability issues identified.
The YOT is a multi-agency operation comprising staff from police, probation, health, children and education. It works closely with young offenders and their parents/carers as well as with court, other criminal justice agencies and other organisations or groups that support young people and recognise the unique value and contribution that they make to society. Other key providers and supporters including the Education Participation Team, training and employment providers (HTP), accommodation and voluntary sector agencies. The work of the YOT is governed by an annual Youth Justice Plan.
Members of the community are invited to apply for volunteer positions as Mentors, Referral Panel Members and Reparation Support. Training, support and expenses are provided. For further information please contact the Restorative Justice Officers by ringing 01983 522799.
If you wish to know more about the work of the Youth Offending Team or working for the IOWYOT as either a paid member of staff, or volunteer, please email [email protected].
The Isle of Wight Youth Offending Team is a dynamic organisation which is able to demonstrate its effectiveness in working with young people committing offences or at risk of committing crime and there are many opportunities working on reparation projects and working as sessional workers attached to specific projects.