Foundation Programme
When you volunteer with a Youth Offending Team (YOT), and some other youth justice agencies, you will take part in the Foundation Programme which has been created by the Youth Justice Board (YJB) to provide core learning for all volunteers. It covers the issues and topics that are central to understanding and working with young people who have offended or who are at risk of doing so.
The programme includes:
- three group training days (focusing on young people and crime; communicating effectively; and intervening effectively)
- background reading and self-directed exercises for participants
- information about additional workshops and training opportunities.
Additional training may be necessary following the Foundation Programme for some specific volunteering roles, such as appropriate adults and panel members. See our individual pages on the different ways you can volunteer for more details on these.
Professional development
Some volunteers want to develop careers within the youth justice system. Volunteers who want to continue their training can undertake the course, ‘Exploring the Youth Justice System: An Introduction’. (Talk to your youth offending team and regional workforce development adviser if you’re interested in doing this course.) Volunteers can then study the foundation degree in youth justice or, if they prefer, could just study one module entitled 'Effective Practice in Youth Justice', which leads to the award of 'The Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (Youth Justice)'.
These courses are run by the Open University. For more information see Workforce Development.