Reparation simply means repairing or making amends for the offence and the harm done.

This can also help children face the consequences of their behaviour and, in some cases, develop positive interests.

Reparation normally takes the form of some unpaid work carried out by the child, supervised by a Youth Justice Service (YJS) worker. Each session normally lasts three hours and the number of sessions depends on the length of the sentence and the seriousness of the offence.

Victims of crime are always consulted by the team and given the opportunity to say how the child can make amends for the crime they committed. Wherever possible, the type of reparation is determined by the views of the victim.

Direct reparation

In some cases, the victim can identify an appropriate activity for the child to do, which is of direct benefit to the victim, or may want them to raise money for a particular charity. Previous examples of direct reparation have included:

• working in shops-where theft occurred
• painting a fence or gardening work for victim
• working for local councils where damage had been caused
• washing victim's cars

Indirect reparation

Many victims do not have an appropriate activity for the child to do. Instead, they can be offered a range of possible activities and can choose which activity the child young person should do.

Community based reparation

The idea of community-based reparation is that the child young person undertakes an activity which is of benefit to the wider community, rather than directly for the victim. Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service maintains some projects around the local area, as well as with local organisations, that enable young people to do work for the good of the community. The aim is also to enable the young person to develop some useful skills, perhaps even helping them to find an activity that interests them that they can continue long term.

Contact details

Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole

Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service,
Ted Webster Centre,
519A Ashley Rd,
Poole,
BH14 0BD.

Call: 01202 794 321.

Dorset Council

Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service,
Monkton Park,
Winterborne,
Monkton,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
DT2 9PS.

Call: 0300 123 3339.

Email: DCYJS@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.