Volunteer Youth Referral Panel Advocate

Overview

Contract type:
Casual

As a Referral Order Panel Volunteer, you will play an important role in supporting children and young people who have been sentenced to a Referral Order by the Youth Court. Working as part of a panel alongside the Youth Partnership Service, you will participate in meetings to help develop meaningful contracts that encourage positive change and support rehabilitation. You represent the voice of the local community, engaging with children, young people, and their families to explore the underlying causes of offending behaviour.

By encouraging accountability, promoting understanding of the impact of their actions, and supporting restorative approaches, you will help young people make positive choices and contribute to safer, stronger communities.

Salary:
Volunteer
Hours per month: 1 – 3

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

We’re looking for compassionate, open‑minded volunteers who can build positive relationships with children, young people, their families, and professionals from a range of agencies. You should be a confident communicator with strong listening skills, able to consider different viewpoints, think objectively, and contribute balanced decisions that support positive outcomes for young people.

You will have a genuine interest in helping children and young people who have offended make positive changes. You remain calm in challenging situations, manage conflict with sensitivity, and demonstrate respect for people from all ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds. Before joining the panel you will complete training provided by Luton Youth Partnership Service and commit to attending an average of one to two panel meetings each month (approximately 1–3 hours per meeting) for at least one year.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check completed by Luton Borough Council.

This is a public‑facing role, so you’ll need to show fluency in speaking and writing English.

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no‑one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020).

A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 19.2 per cent (at April 2026) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part‑time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

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