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Court Volunteer - Medway Magistrates Court Rochester


Currently, our Court Volunteer role is not available for Student Placements



About this service

Our Court Service provides support to the families and friends of those who have a loved one going through the court process. We operate at numerous Magistrates and Crown Courts throughout Kent and the South East.



Purpose of this role



To support the friends and families of defendants going through the criminal justice system by providing advice and support at any and all stages of the trial or sentencing process. The role also involves promoting the Court Service to both members of the public and professionals working within the court so that they are aware of Pact and the services it provides.



Time commitment & location



Location: Medway Magistrates Court, 9 - 11 The Brook, Chatham, ME4 4JZ

Time commitment: Volunteers are expected to do at least one shift (09.30 - 13:30 or 13:30 - 17:00) per week in court.



Because of the recruitment process, which can take several weeks, Pact hopes you will commit to volunteering with us for 1 shift a week (approx. 3-4 hours) for at least 6 months from when you start.



What you will be doing

Providing both practical advice and support to the friends and families of individuals who are either on trial or being sentenced, as well as:

Providing support to the families of individuals on a bail hearing, trial or sentencing
Liaising and working with other Pact volunteers who are based in the same court or with other Pact services
Ensuring that there is sufficient literature about the Service available, and visible, throughout the court
Developing good, working relationships with court staff and other professionals, such as clerks, ushers, list-callers, Probation, security staff, solicitors, barristers, the Witness Service, etc and promoting both the Court Service and Pact to them
Recording details of all information given to defendants, their friends and families, defence lawyers and other individuals or agencies at court on Pact monitoring forms and sending the completed form back to the Courts Coordinator at the end of each month


The type of person we are looking for





Pact advertises volunteering opportunities widely and locally and seeks to attract volunteers that are representative of the communities and people we serve. Pact actively encourages people with criminal convictions to apply for both paid and voluntary positions at Pact. We, therefore, welcome applications from former service users and people with convictions, subject to risk assessment and the nature of the role.



Experience / Knowledge

Skills / Abilities

Attitudes

Good understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and confidentiality.

An awareness of the impact of custody on prisoners, and on children and families.

Experience of working with members of the public.

Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to deal calmly and sensitively with individuals and families in a court environment

Ability to respect confidentiality

Punctual, organised and able to use your own initiative

Ability to work alone or in a team



Non-judgemental, empathetic attitude towards prisoners and their families.

Committed to the vision, mission, values, and ethos of Pact.

Honesty and reliability

Warm and friendly approach to working with people

Ability to treat all individuals, staff, professionals and families with respect, dignity and courtesy



What we offer



Training



One full-day court training is provided as part of the role, along with the shadowing of experienced court volunteers. Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, and Equality and Diversity training are required for all our roles. You will also have access to a range of other training opportunities



Expenses



Travel costs, via public transport or private car (mileage), will be reimbursed including travel to attend training. Subsistence, i.e., lunch may also be reimbursed, in accordance with our expenses policy.



Checks



This role is subject to the following checks, with which our staff will be on hand to support you:

3 years of employment history or other activities (e.g., studying, travelling)
Please be aware that these necessary checks need to be completed



Support and Supervision



We will provide a full induction and regular supervision to support you in the role.



Benefits to you



Providing a desperately needed service to a wholly unseen group of people. You will be able to reduce the stress and isolation a family affected by imprisonment experiences.
Full training is provided, and reasonable reimbursements will be paid for travel costs.
Gain knowledge about the criminal justice system and its processes.
Gain practical skills and experience.
Develop skills and enhance your CV for a career in the criminal justice sector.
Join a welcoming and helpful team of volunteers.


If you are interested in this role, please click the 'fill in application' box to the right.

Next steps


For more information about Pact and to apply for this role please visit www.prisonadvice.org.uk/volunteer or to speak to a member of our team email volunteering@prisonadvice.org.uk

Pact is a registered charity - number: 219278. Company registration number: 356443.

Registered office: 29 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UA