Volunteering with your local youth offending team lets you make a genuine contribution to your community. Youth crime remains one of the biggest issues facing UK cities and suburbs, though young people can get into trouble anywhere.
Before applying to work with young offenders, you'll likely need appropriate background clearance, so it's worth checking our free DBS Check Guide.
By helping out, you also support efforts to reduce reoffending and may positively influence young people going on to lead productive lives. Many volunteers find the work brings a real sense of achievement.
Voluntary Roles Within The Youth Offending Team
There are several areas within the youth justice system where you could offer your services:
- Resettlement and aftercare: helping juvenile ex-offenders re-enter the community after time in a young offenders institution, advising on employment and housing
- Mentoring: meeting young offenders once or twice a week to listen, offer support, and lead by example rather than giving formal advice
- Education and sports support: coaching sports teams or helping with basic reading, writing, and maths
- Youth Offending Panel: sitting alongside another volunteer and a staff member to speak with the young person and their parents, aiming to reach a written agreement about future behaviour
- Appropriate adult: by law, an adult must supervise police questioning of a youth if a parent is unavailable or is the alleged victim

Not sure if you need a DBS check for volunteering? Answer a few questions about the role and find out what level of check is needed, how to apply, and how long it takes.
Try our DBS Check Guide free, here on this site →Training As A Volunteer
You must be at least 18 to volunteer. You will receive thorough training covering communication and intervention techniques, understanding youth crime, and antisocial behaviour. Further courses and specialist workshops are also available.
Volunteering could lead to the Effective Practice Mini Award, an entry point to the National Qualifications Framework. If you are considering a career in youth law or social work, this role offers valuable knowledge, practical experience, and a pathway to higher education.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Personal Qualities Needed
Useful qualities include strong interpersonal skills, especially listening, and the ability to relate to people from all backgrounds. You will need tact, patience, and respect for confidentiality. Sensitivity to a young person's problems, whether they seem minor or serious, matters. Reliability, flexibility, and effective teamwork are also expected.
Working with your local youth offending team can be challenging but rewarding. To find out how to get involved, contact your local team directly.
How do i go about finding volunteer opportunities where i can help young people to reach their fullest potential
To get started, contact your local YOT directly through your council website. They'll explain their volunteer opportunities and requirements, which typically include an enhanced DBS check and specific training. The application process can take a few weeks, but it's worth the wait. You might also want to speak with your university careers service, as they sometimes have established links with YOTs or similar organisations that could help fast-track your application.
Best of luck with your studies and this meaningful volunteer journey!
I will like to volunteer for juvenile Young Offenders.
Please let me know how can I apply.
Regards
I'm looking at working with youth offendors/delinquents as a mentor.
Looking for any volunteer roles within this area.
Adrian White
07852862060
Please could you contact me regarding the process for becoming a Youth Offender Volunteer. I am interested in looking further into this opportunity and I am at the stage in my life where I can give time to help and support others and, hopefully, make a difference.
Many thanks
Deborah
I do other voluntary work as well, and would be really keen to volunteer in this sector in any capacity.
Can you please send me some information. Thank you
Would you please send me some more information on volunteering youth offenders as I am extremely interested in this opportunity. I currently work in a school and would love to get involved .
Thank you in advance and look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Sandra
I am very interested in volunteering. I am currently about to finish my second year of uni studying criminology and psychology and would love to gain some practical experience over the next few years before I (hopefully) graduate. Any information would be greatly received.
Thank you
Is the application to the local council or law society?
Please can I have information to assist as I feel I could be a good mentor to young offenders.
Kind Regards
Debbie
Kind regards
Jolene
Thankyou
I’ve completed transformed my life and overcome my issues and would love the chance to help others who may be needing some guidance please contact me if there’s any help needed .
Toni
Thanks, marie
I am a criminology masters graduate previously studying at the University of Suffolk.
I would love to peruse a career within youth offending teams as I feel it would be tremendously rewarding to myself, the community and the young people themselves.
I would like to gain experience through volunteering and to really kickstart my career. Please email me with any details on how I can go about dedicating my time to volunteering. Thank you.
Curtis
I am interested in volunteering with young offenders . I am pursuing career in coaching in Education and would like to motivate young offenders to get back to education. I can also offer basic maths and English tuition. I live in Nottingham is there any centre nearby.
Kind regards
Rosy .
I have grown up in an environment where my parents provided assistance to young troubled, or misinterpreted youths by way of a life skills project through the pupil referral service and YOT (skillspace).
I feel through years of self conditioning, I am impartial and patient, and have a lot to offer.
Please feel free to contact me.
I am interested in becoming a mentor for young offenders. I am currently studying a Masters degree in criminology and criminal psychology and I want to gain as much experience in the field as possible, and contribute to my community using my skills. I am in the West Midlands area, thanks
I am a third year forensic criminology student,due to finish June 2020.I am interested in working with youth offenders in the Plymouth,Devon area.
Thanyou
Thank you
Thankyou
I have even involved.with Sandwell volunteers centre and MHPP for over 2 years
Looking for a growing placement and enjoy learning
Thank you, Chiara.
Thank you
I am looking to gain experience working with young offenders.
I am a mature student with three teenage boys.
I feel I could offer my personal skills to help young offenders deal with social situations that have led to there current status.
Thanks Lisa
Any help/advice gratefully received.
Best wishes.
Many thanks
Angela
I have experience with working with children as a voluntary tutoress for children with learning disorders and difficulties.
I am enthusiastic about helping and supporting younger children and always a kind and openhearted person that enjoys to work in a team.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also, I am more than happy to introduce myself in person.
I feel so strongly that no young person is a loss cause and recognise that re-offending rates in this country paint a rather disturbing picture of young offenders and the Youth Justice System. I found looking into Criminogenic needs and social factors fascinating when looking into why young people offend and can clearly see the hurdles that arise with multi agency working - as you must with this group of vulnerable people.
I would like to broaden my knowledge and understanding of how the different agencies work together in terms of crime prevention strategies and, at the other end of the spectrum, rehabilitating young offenders. I have a keen interest in Restorative Justice as a rehabilitative measure and would love to be a part of this relatively new, and up and coming method of deal with young offenders.
I would be available immediately for up to 3 days a week, Experience is necessary and I would be grateful for any volunteer opportunities within my local Youth Offending Team whereby i can see my studies put into practice and see first hand how young offenders are dealt with by the Youth Justice System.
I am a student currently in my last year studying Criminology. I am very interested in volunteering, in which I am available to start now. I would be particularly interested in volunteering for offenders in prisons or victim support.
I am looking to Volunteer in the Manchester area.
Thank you
I'm 46 years old and would like to volunteer with youth offenders in Warrington Cheshire area.
In my younger days I had trouble with substance misuse, been clean for 11 years and want to train to be probation officer.
I have 2 boys aged 15 & 24 and lots of understanding of today's issues for youths and young adults.
Thanks
Nicola
How do I apply
I’m first Aud trained I have studied three years of sociology three years of criminology I have qualifications in counciling and physchology at the moment I’m studying to be a mental health Nurse I am looking for some work wich I would be interested in for my University placement.
I live in Cheshire I can travel to Manchester but would prefer to work near my home.
Thankyou
Many thanks, Zoe
I am interested in becoming a volunteer for young offenders who have left prison helping to mentor them in to education or employment. I am seeking to gain experience in this field to progress on to becoming a probation office career.
Thank you
Kind regards
Amelia.
I am currently completing a psychology degree, and am aiming to venture into a career in the area of rehabilitation of criminals, or join the police force.I was wondering if there were any organisations in the area of Bedfordshire that I could contact in regards to work experience over the summer? I have volunteered with other organisations before, and find it enlightening and rewarding.
Kind Regards,
Jess
I have completed my LLB and LLM, and I currently volunteer in Court working with witnesses. I want to move into youth offending and I am seeking experience first.
I am from Middlesbrough, North East England- How can I find opportunities for this area? please
Kind regards,
Charis
I am in my second year of a psychology degree at university of Sunderland. I would love to be able to help out with young offenders around Sunderland as expericnce for after graduation when I wish to become a criminal or child psychologist. Is there any information available on this?
Michael
Im currently studying a criminology degree, and im highly interested in working within a youth offending team within the Birminghan area. Can you advise me where to look and apply
Thanks
I am currently studying a Masters in Social Work. I would like to gain some volunteer experience in youth offending in London, ideally the West or North West region because it is the area I would like to work within once, i have qualified.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
Thank you
Denny
I'm a criminology and criminal justice student looking for placement and volunteering work with youth offenders in London and also victim support in London.
I am currently in my third year of undergraduate study in Liverpool. I would like to gain experience in voluntary work specialising in helping youth offenders. Any information would be highly appreciated.
I have recently graduated from edge hill university with a degree in criminology and criminal justice. I want to gain some experience either in probation or around youth offending. I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on where to look/what to apply for within the Liverpool area.
thankyou
I am very interested in volunteering for your organisation working with young offenders as they prepare to leave prison.
I am about to begin studying for 4 O levels in English Maths Psychology and Law at Bolton college with a view to secure permanent employment within this field.
Thank you
I am entering my third year in September studying Criminology in Nottingham. I would love to gain volunteering experience within young offenders in this area?
Thank you
I am currently volunteering with adult offenders on our resettlement project and would like to add more.
I am in the tamworth Staffordshire area, but do have links to Birmingham.
So you know anyone I could contact
Thanks
Much appreciated.
Sas
I have just graduated with a degree in criminology and looking to gain some experience volunteering with young offenders within Hertfordshire.
Could you point me in the right direction of who to contact please.
Thanks
I am interested in volunteering with youth team , I do have some experience working with young people,
Could you point me in the direction of who to contact please.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Preferably with youth offenders or victims of crime, just looking for a push in the right direction? Thank you
I have been unsuccessful when applying for jobs and I think this is due to lack of experience. Please could you guide me in the right direction ?
Many thanks
I would like to work with volunteering.
I would like to work in the fire station, children and special needs
I have training with fire and first Aid, my brothers is special needs , but live in Brasil and I like to work with childrens.
Please, lets me known what I need and where I need go ...
Yours sincerely
Debora
I am interested in volunteering in the Birmingham area with the youth team. I have experience volunteering with adults now I would like to try youth volunteering. Could you point me in the direction of who to contact. Many thanks
I have finished my second year at BA level Youth Work Community Development.
I'm looking to volunteer for this summer and potentially next year as well.
Any advice on a centre or program I should look at..
Thank you very much
thank you
Many thanks
I currently work with secondary school pupils, teaching them to read but would really like to do voluntary work, one day per week, teaching young offenders to read (ideally in the Croydon area). Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jq
I'm looking to volunteer with rehabilitation for youth offenders in London, preferably south or east London.
Do you have any advice on where I could find out more information about this?
Thankyou.
I have recently retired and would be interested in volunteering in the youth judicial system. I live in Newcastle and currently volunteer in a uniformed youth organisation which I have been involved with for over 50 years.
Alfie
Growing up I was labelled as the girl who had anger management and couldn't control herself, when I was doing voluntary work it enable me to tame my anger which i believe made me mature and made me the person I am today.
I would love to work with the youth offenders to try and help steer themselves back into the right direction.
Thank you
If there are any available voluntary work in London please respond back to via email.
Kind regards
Currently doing a sociology degree, and I want to with with young offenders rehabilitation in a prison. Where could I look for placements.
I do not have any degree level education , but at age 40 with a varied work history and a father . I feel i have vast life experience to pass on to people . Any information would be appreciated
Carol 17-11-16
I'm 30 years old and for the last 10years have gone thought a very colourful path of good and bad choices and I feel I'm at a point in my life where I'd like to give back, I've always used self help and positives mechanisms to help me get past the bad times and with my attitude and ways of thinking and explaining things I think I could possibly help.
I'm not collage educated or uni but i know a little bit about a lot :)
I'd love to hear from you if you think I'd be of any service.
Thank you
I was wondering about any information regarding becoming a volunteer within the youth offending teams in the Wirral area.
I am at college studying humanities and social science but my main goal is to eventually work within this area.
Please feel free to contact me with any information regarding this
With thanks
Leighanne mcgarrity-barnes
Thank you
Jordan symonds
Thank you
I would greatly appreciate any roles that are available or contact details for any organisations that provide support
I was wondering if there were any volunteering opportunities near Dundee/Broughty Ferry area?
Thank you,
Pamela
Interested im working with young offenders/youth. I live in
Birmingham but would not mind travelling around birmingham
Too.
I am interested in volutary youth work in Cardiff.
Please contact me with any such vacancies.
Kind Regards
C.Stanbury
I have a degree in Sport and Exercise Science, and am soon to finish my masters in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University.
I have recently moved home (Wigan Borough), and am looking to gain experience with various populations.
I am keen to take part in any training/workshops needed, and would love to find out more information regarding the after care, mentoring, and support roles in my area.
Please let me know if you can help with my volunteer process.
Many thanks.
i have recently completed my degree in criminology at the university of sheffield and am wanting to gain some work experience in the youth justice sector before going into a career. I am looking for voluntary work within the Nottingham area and would appreciate any information which can be provided.
cheers.
Please can you give me some advice
Kind Regards
Many thanks, Charlie :)
I am currently an undergraduate student studying psychology and criminology, I have just completed my first year and would be highly interested in gaining some experience in working with youth offenders. Reading the personal requirements above I believe I could really help, I live in the Preston, Lancashire area and would greatly appreciate a response in where to go from here! Thank you
Many thanks.
Thank you
Any feed back would be greatly appreciated thanks
I'm a second year psychology with forensics student at London south bank university and I am currently looking to gain some experience working with youth offenders. I would love the opportunity to give back to the community, which will also help with my studies. Please get back to with roles that are available.
Kind regards belinda
Me and 2 other friends are doing a citizenship project about young offenders and we would like to help out, we are year 10 students. We need to do an action for our coursework and we chose helping a charity
Do you know any local charities in west London where we could mentor?
Regards
Seela
Oladipo
I am very interested in applying for a part-time volunteering position within the Youth Offending Team; particularly mentoring, being part of a youth offending panel and/or becoming an appropriate adult.
I have a BSc degree in Psychology, graduating with a 2:1 from Coventry University in May 2013.
I am currently working full time in the Admissions department of a boarding school in London, but I am very keen to gain some experience working with offenders.
I have wanted to pursue volunteering with young offenders for a couple of years, but I had decided to travel first so had not managed to be able to commit myself to it.
I work in West London, and live in Higher Denham in Buckinghamshire so would be looking for volunteering opportunities in or near those areas.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Lauren
I currently volunteer as a mentor for Sova.
Providing support for service users with 1 to 1 and job club etc..
I am currently not working due to my son still only at nursery? I want to spend the next two years volunteering and getting as much experience as possible.
Youth offenders is where my heart is and eventually want a career from helping, supporting and giving direction to our younger generation.
Please could you lead me in the right direction.
Many Thanks
Kim Hall
I am a teacher in Further and Adult education and I was made redundant one year ago. I would welcome the opportunity to do some work to help young people. I am a qualified teacher and have a mentoring certificate.
Could you advise on which action to take to be trained and be part of your volunteering team? I live in London in Wandsworth SW18.
Thank you.
I am 17 years old and currently working in my first year of college and I am aiming for a carreer in forensic psychology, I was wondering if you would be able to offer work experience between 11th- 15th July as a possible mentor.
My course requires me to do a two week placement - as I am an aspiring social worker I would love to perhaps shadow a social worker for the two weeks.
Or perhaps any department within the Nottingham YOT.
Just wondering if you had any advice on how I would go about doing this? Who do I contact?
Thank you,
Rebecca
I'm currently doing a distance learning psychology degree, ideally i want a career helping teens whether its choosing the right education, being there to listen, helping them with life problems they are going through.
I live in irthlingborough and was wondering If there is anything around here that I could volunteer at?
Many Thanks
Kelly
I need to do a placement for my course, minimum of 50 hours 1 day a week on a Wednesday as this is the day free in my timetable, I would really appreciate if you could kindly let me know any opportunities there may be so we can discuss further.
I am a 16 year old college student from Prestwich Manchester trying to look for work experience or voluntary work. I think it will be valuable to me as I'm looking at a career in forensic psychology.
If you could help me with this I would be ever so grateful.
I am looking for volunteer work within the area of young offenders and prisons. I am in the Cambridgeshire area and I am currently completing the last year of my Psychology degree. Any advice or contacts would be greatfully received!
Thanks
Thank you!
I'm really interested at working here voluntary and getting a lot of invaluable work experience as I hope to do master degree in forensic psychology so I would love to get an insight into the job role and to gain new experience that could further my
Knowledge I'm the route Im heading. Please could you send any relative information or any ideas on how I could achieve a volunteer placement with this field. Many thanks
I'm currently studying Working with children, young people and families at York St. John. I am looking for voluntary work for a placement as part of my degree? I am looking to volunteer with youth offenders, and to take part in some mentoring?
thanks
I've been offered a place at YMCA George Williams College in London to study youth and community development but a condition of the position is 20 voluntary hours a week in a youth position - does anyone know anything available around Reading Berkshire? I work full time in retail so have to work around shifts til September which is the tricky part as no set shift pattern at the moment.
Any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks
Cheryl
I am wanting a career change so I am thinking about a course in youth offending
And would need to gain some experience by volunteering any ideas for the Wigan area?
Kind regards Nicole
Shimona Thomas
I'm looking to enter into the youth work field and am desperately needing to gain some experience. I live in North Lanarkshire in Scotland and have spent the past few days desperately trying to find any volunteering opportunities with young offenders in my area but am struggling to find anything except Polmont which is too far away. I was wondering if you knew of anywhere that you could suggest to me?
Thanks,
Aaron
I'm currently studying a Childhood, Youth and Education degree in Bath and I have a placement year approaching. I'm really interested in working with young offenders, particularly in the rehabilitation process and the education of those young people. Could you please suggest some opportunities either in the Bath area or near my home town in Rugby (warwickshire)
Thank you!
Beth
Thanks!
Thank you
I am currently studying an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Psychology and I am looking to gain some work experience working with young offenders preferably in the East Midlands but if thats not possible I can also work in South-Yorkshire.
Thank You
Thank you very much.
I am looking for a career change and helping people, particularly young offenders, is an area I'd like to explore. I don't have any qualifications and have been in trouble myself when I was younger. Would it still be possible to get involved? I live in the Wirral area.
Thankyou!
p.s I live in the Swindon area .
Regards
I am in my final year of uni in central London and would like to get involved with this program. I live in the borough of Haringey and study in the Bloomsbury/Islington/Camden area. Who would you please recommened I contact to get involved ?
Thanks!
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
thank you
How can I apply for this voluntary opportunity?
I am very interested in volunteering to work with the Youth Offenders Team. I currently work caring for children and in my spare time I am a Special Constable. Please can you advise on how I am able to pursue this chosen path.
Regards.
kind regards. Dida
I have been trying to find some volunteer work in the area of offending and was wondering if there was any information for this in the Yorkshire area (ideally West Yorkshire).
I am a recent graduate from Huddersfield University in the subject if Psychology and Criminology and would be interested in gaining some experience within this field.
Many Thanks
Rea
Thanks
sonya
it is an amazing thing to do and very rewarding i loved th mentoring and had no problems until i needed to end it, i was awfully shocked and put off by the response and would not return. basically just making people aware of my experience which has upset me, i never ever wanted to hear i had let anyone down afterall iv put time and effort into helping out and changing things for better, very disapointed to after hard work and effort i had to leave feeling bad about myself. but at the end of day we all work for the same thing and this is to pay bills and provide i would have been crazy to turn down a good job to continue volunteering i have a home and a 2 year old. very disapointed.
It would be good to help improve community spirit.
Thank you
Thanks for your help,
regards sabina
I am a family support worker working in five schools in the hillingdon area between the ages of 0 to 18 I work closely with Social services. I would love the opportunity to work with young offenders to widen my knowledge. I have a son who has made the wrong choices in the past and would love the chance to help guide others to take the right path in life.
Any information you could give me on how i could do this was be greatful.
My children are grown up so have plenty of time on my hands to volunteer.
Thanks
Vonnie
I was hoping you would be able to provide me with details in being able to achieve this in Nottingham and where and when I can apply.
Kind Regards,
Aimee
I am currently studying a Masters in Criminology, and would like to gain some valuable experience via volunteer work with youth offenders. I was hoping you could email me details for any projects / orgarnisations in the Manchester area.
Thank you
Dave
i'm currently at uni doing a course in youth justice, i would like to gain more experience by volunteering in this area.
Thanks!
I am looking to work in the child welfare and protection field and therefore I am looking to see if there are any volunteer positions that may link to this field. If you have any positions I would be grateful if you could get in touch with me or if you know anybody who can help in any way.
Thankyou and I look forward to hearing from you. Danny Critchley.
thanks liz.
thanks cianne
I want to get involved in a team that helps youth offenders and their family's and I feel by helping out doing voluntary work, this might help me follow the right path?
I like working with young people and naturally have a good repore with them. I know I would be good at this sort of work.
thanks
Sophie
I have read through the information that was written regarding working with young offenders.
I have a great interest in what is required within the role of the “voluntary youth team”, I am an undergraduate student going onto my third year, this voluntary work fits in perfectly for what I want to pursue has a career and I believe it will give me a great insight has to what I would be dealing with you the future. I am studying Psychology and Crime and was wondering how do I apply for the voluntary work?
Beee
I would like to have a prost graduate diploma in social work or youth and community studies . Do you know of any university in London where I can study on part time basis as I would not like to give up my job.
i am very interested in volunteering for the Youth Offending Team based in Manchester, if you could please send me details of how to do this, i would be very grateful.
i look forward to hearing from you
kind regards
Angela
I have just completed an honours degree in criminology and am now wanting to obtain experience before trying to get a job.
Could you let me know how i get involved with this please?
Thank you
Lara
Could you please let me know jow i would go about applying to become a volenteer in this area.
Thank you.
Kind Regards
Gazza
I would like to ask you if there are any opportunities for my three month volunteering placement this summer, in London. Could you please tell me how to go about applying for a volunteer position. Thank you very much for your help, Anna.
I am planning to study Access to Social Work and then to move into higher education and feel that this course alongside work experiences can help me to gain invaluable experience in working within the area of youth offending both now and in the future.
Kiely
Kind Regards,
Anna
Thanks
Many Thanks
Gaz
I am a third year Sociology and Criminology university student and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to volunteer with your organisation and work with youth offenders. Could you please tell me how to go about applying for a volunteer position,
Thank you
I am a first year student at university studying a Criminal Justice degree. I would like to gain valuable experience over the summer holidays to help me decide which career path I would like to choose towards the end of my degree. I would really benefit from doing volunteer work at your organization and I am free over the summer holidays. Please email me informing me how to formally apply for this job as a volunteer.
Thank you
Namrah
I am interested in finding out more information about the program with the intent to become a volunteer. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and have worked in the juvenile corrections field for two years in the USA. Please let me know who I can contact. Thank you!
kind regards
sharlene daley
volunteer in this sector.
What do I have to do next and where do I find that info?
Angela
Please email the info .
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