Volunteers in this role will attend court on an agreed day, either once a week or fortnightly. The purpose of this role is to provide vital practical information, emotional support and signposting to families and friends when someone close to them is going through court, sentenced or remanded to custody, as well as to promote the charity and our services to court staff and legal professionals. Volunteers will receive full training to prepare them for this role and the role provides a rare opportunity to work in the criminal courts.

Role Description:

• Identify from the court lists and by liaising with court staff (such as; list callers, ushers and probation) the court cases where custody is anticipated.
• Offer emotional support to the friends and family of defendants.
• Be available to families who may need assistance or information.
• Quietly observe court cases where custody is possible or anticipated and where families are present.
• Tactfully approach families where custody has occurred with the offer of information, such as an SPF leaflet, how to arrange a prison visit and services that can be accessed from other agencies.
• Where families are not present and imprisonment occurs, approach defence council with the offer of information about the charity for families and their office.
• Develop good relations with court staff such as; ushers, probation, witness service, security, court clerks, and reception and cells staff – promoting the organisation and service to them.
• Ensure court leaflet racks are stocked up with SPF leaflets.
• Provide regular updates to SPF staff and to raise issues via individual and group support  sessions.
• Record details of all information given out to families/defence council/other agencies at  court on SPF monitoring forms and send back to office regularly.
• To champion the service and pass on information on the experience of volunteering by attending SPF events and activities.
• This is a solo volunteering opportunity. Following training and induction volunteers will be  expected to carry out their duties without a member of staff present.

Person Specification
• Has an interest in the needs of prisoners’ families.
• Professional and reliable.
• Friendly and approachable.
• Compassionate.
• Displays excellent listening and verbal communication skills.
• Has the ability to communicate confidently with a wide range of people.
• Able to work well independently.
• Able to show respect for the traditions of the court.
• Able to take a non-judgemental approach.
• Willing to work within boundaries and in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Able to keep a basic record of information given out at court and return this information via an online form.

Our expectations:
• We ask that volunteers are available to attend crown court (in either Lewes, Brighton or Hove) or Magistrates’ Court (in either Worthing, Hastings or Crawley) on at least one half day per week or one full-day per fortnight, for a minimum period of six months.
• Volunteers should be available for at least a morning or afternoon during court hours, which are usually 9AM – 4PM, Monday to Friday.
• Applicants will be required to attend an interview and provide two independent references.
• Volunteers’ names will be forwarded for a DBS check.
• Volunteers must attend 2 full days of training and complete an online safeguarding course before volunteering with us.
• Available to attend training, support and development sessions.

SPF will offer:
• Initial training, guidance and induction to the role.
• Ongoing learning, development and support.
• Regular information regarding the activities of Sussex Prisoners’ Families (SPF).
• Reimbursement of agreed travel and refreshments expenses, in accordance with SPF’s policy.
• Invitation to social activities and events.

We welcome applications from those with lived experience of the criminal justice system and/or previous family-member imprisonment.

For an application form or more information contact Bex on:
e) volunteers@sussexprisonersfamilies.org.uk
t) 07821882734 (please leave a message) or visit our website for an online application form:
www.sussexprisonersfamilies.org.uk/volunteering

Sussex Prisoners’ Families,

Brighton Peace and Environment Centre,
39-41 Surrey Street, BN1 3PB
Registered Charity Number: 1203605