The Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service (YJS) includes Restorative Justice Practitioners, who contact the victims of all offences by Dorset children that have led to the involvement of the team.
The Restorative Justice Practitioner informs victims of the different restorative justice processes that are available, and offers them the opportunity to participate.

This could involve:

• attending panel meetings
• a direct meeting with the young person
• representing their views to the young person
• receiving a letter of explanation from the young person
• shuttle mediation, with the Restorative Justice Practitioner acting as a go-between to try to resolve any outstanding issues between the victim and the young person
• reparation (work carried out by the young person to repair the harm they caused)

The fundamental principle of the YJS' work with victims is that the victim has a free choice about whether to become involved.

The Restorative Justice Practitioner will also help victims of youth crime to access other support services when appropriate, including advice on Crime Prevention.

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.