Our volunteer types

Young Witness Service (Northern Ireland)

Our volunteer types

Young Witness Service (Northern Ireland)

A fulfilling experience for our volunteers, which allows us to help young people who are in stressful and trying situations.

Jenni Boyce

Jenni Boyce

Partnerships Service Manager

“As Partnership Service Manager for the NSPCC Young Witness Service, I am extremely proud of the support we offer to all young people who are required to attend court across Northern Ireland in Magistrate, Crown and Youth cases. Our team of practitioners and volunteers are key in ensuring that Young people are placed at the centre of the criminal justice system, that their rights are heard and advocated for and they receive individualised support which is responsive to their needs. Our volunteers provide excellent support to families and feedback on the value of the service is continually fed back to us.”

“Within my role I have the opportunity to ensure young witnesses voices are heard at a strategic and Governmental level, up to the Criminal Justice Board and the Department of Justice. We work closely with our partner agencies, the Prosecution service, Police Service NI, Courts and Tribunal service and Victim Support NI to ensure that young people feel they are treated fairly and respectfully through their journey through the Criminal Justice system.”

volunteer with child

Why join us?

As a Young Witness volunteer you'll provide information and advice to children and young people who have to give evidence at court – as well as their family and friends. You'll support these young witnesses before, during and after the trial, working alongside social workers and other trained employees. As a Young Witness volunteer, you'll get to:

  • develop new skills
  • make new friends as part of a tight-knit team
  • support children going through a challenging experience.
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About Young Witness volunteering

We only provide this service in Northern Ireland, where we support young witnesses and their families to give evidence in court. As a Young Witness volunteer, you'll be provided with all the training and support you need to play your part, which includes:

  • 8 days of initial training
  • 2 refresher training days per year
  • ongoing supervision
  • group volunteer meetings.
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What we’re looking for

passionate about helping young people and children

passionate about helping young people and children

can communicate and engage with children, their families and professionals

can communicate and engage with children, their families and professionals

good at building relationships

good at building relationships

remain calm and reassuring in stressful situations

remain calm and reassuring in stressful situations

cope with distressing information appropriately

cope with distressing information appropriately

have at least one year’s experience working with children or in a caring, supportive environment

have at least one year’s experience working with children or in a caring, supportive environment

Find an opportunity

 
You'll need to be based
in Northern Ireland
 
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APPLY NOW
 
Please read our
policies carefully
Find the opportunity you’re interested in supporting and click ‘apply’ on the opportunity description page
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Did you know?
Recruitment for Young Witness Service usually opens twice a year.
 
Find the opportunity you’re interested in supporting and click ‘apply’ on the opportunity description page
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You'll need to be based
in Northern Ireland
down-arrow
Please read our
policies carefully
down-arrow
Did you know?
Recruitment for Young Witness Service usually opens twice a year.

 
Once you submit your application, you'll be invited to a face-to-face interview.
 
 
speaking
 
 
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Did you know?
If you're successful at interview, you’ll be invited to complete an 8 day face-to-face training course which forms part of the selection process.
 
Once you submit your application, you'll be invited to a face-to-face interview.
down-arrow
Did you know?
If you're successful at interview, you’ll be invited to complete an 8 day face-to-face training course which forms part of the selection process.

 
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Once you pass our 8 day training course, you'll then be invited to select which Courts and Remote Evidence Centres you're willing to volunteer in.
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Then you'll be asked to complete our Health and Safety Inductions.
 
Did you know?
You'll shadow staff and more experienced volunteers at the venues you select until such time as both you and supervising staff feel you're able to fulfil the opportunity by yourself.
 
Once you pass our 8 day training course, you'll then be invited to select which Courts and Remote Evidence Centres you're willing to volunteer in.
down-arrow
Then you'll be asked to complete our Health and Safety Inductions.
down-arrow
Did you know?
You'll shadow staff and more experienced volunteers at the venues you select until such time as both you and supervising staff feel you're able to fulfil the opportunity by yourself.

final step
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Find opportunities near you

Have a look at our open opportunities near where you live:

Prefer to volunteer from home?
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Helplines

  • Help for adults concerned about a child
    Call us on 0808 800 5000
  • Help for children and young people
    Call Childline on 0800 1111
  • For supporter, donation and fundraising queries
    Call us on 020 7825 2505

Contact us

The NSPCC

  • Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Leading children's charity, incorporated by Royal Charter
  • Registered charity in England and Wales (216401), Scotland (SC037717) and Jersey (384).
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