Assisting
offenders to resettle into their communities.
SOVA�s
definition of mentoring is �One to one support and guidance given over a
period of time in order to achieve an objective or several objectives�.
On
this Page:
�What
is a SOVA volunteer mentor?
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A
SOVA volunteer mentor is a person who wants to assist disadvantaged
individuals from within their communities.
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SOVA
volunteer mentors are recruited from all sectors of the local community and
are people who understand local community issues. Volunteer mentors help
increase community understanding of crime and offending and contribute to
local crime reduction strategies.
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All
SOVA volunteer mentors undergo a careful selection process against a
volunteer specification supported by references and criminal record checks,
to ensure their suitability to work with participants.
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A
volunteer mentor is not a substitute for probation, prison or other
professional staff; they are an extra - a person who has been trained, who
gives their free time to support the resettlement of participants.
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�What
training do volunteer mentors receive?
All
SOVA volunteer mentors complete an initial accredited training course (National
Open College Network level 2). A standard SOVA preparatory training course would
cover:
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Role, responsibilities and boundaries of being a mentor
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Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety
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Confidentiality and Child Protection
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Communication and interpersonal skills
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Helping strategies
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Community/Criminal Justice Awareness
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Issues facing
participants in custody and the community
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Additional
elements are added depending on the particular focus
of the project and "criminogenic" needs of the offender, such as:
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Employment, Training and Education (New Deal)
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Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
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Basic Education (literacy and
numeracy)
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Drug and alcohol dependency
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Mental Health
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Homelessness
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�
What
support do volunteers receive?
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Accredited training
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Monthly support group meetings
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Supervision from project or partnership staff
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Paid expenses
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Code of Practice and Volunteer Mentor handbooks
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�
Why
mentor offenders?
SOVA
Volunteer Mentors build positive relationships with offenders and offer support,
guidance and encouragement. Through mentoring relationships volunteers can
contribute to reducing offending and making communities safer. Work with the
offender depends on the "criminogenic" needs and nature of the project
and could include:
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Finding out about Employment, Training and Education options
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Practising job search skills such as form filling and interview
techniques
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Helping find accommodation
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Support on drug or alcohol programmes
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Starting a new interest
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Help with reading and writing
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Meeting new people
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Support on accredited courses
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Building confidence, motivation and self esteem
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Volunteer
mentors can contribute to putting into practice the new skills and behaviours
offenders have learnt on offending behaviour programmes. Volunteer mentors work
to an agreed action plan with the offender in order to support community or
custodial sentence planning.
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