What is Reparation?

Reparation is unpaid work in the community which benefits victims and the community as a whole.

Reparation is designed to help children and young people understand the consequences of their actions and take responsibility for their behaviour. It is for children and young people aged 10-17 years who have made the wrong choices and are open to Blackburn with Darwen Youth Justice Service.

Community Reparation is a way of children and young people making amends to the community. The aim is to provide children and young people with practical skills such as: painting & decorating, woodwork, gardening as well as basic life skills with an opportunity to gain an ASDAN Award. Reparation sessions are arranged so it does not conflict with: school, work or religious commitments.

What is the aim of Reparation?

• Aims to prevent re-offending by ensuring that children and young people are made aware of the consequences and impact of antisocial activity.
• Aims to take into account the wishes and feelings of the victims of crime.
• Aims to encourage children and young people to take responsibility for their actions and in doing so make amends to their victim or the community as a whole.

Previous examples of reparation have included:

• Working in charity shops
• Painting a fence or gardening work for the victim.
• Working in the community where damage had been caused.
• Community clear up
• Decorating a children’s centre
• Creating bench seats for a local school
• Restoring park benches

We aim to improve and maintain public areas particularly in conservation to benefit the local community. This encourages young people to reintegrate, take pride in their local community, pay back for their wrong doings while learning new skills and gaining a certificate of achievement with an ASDAN Award.