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Volunteer training schedule

Module 1 – Introduction to the Witness Service (by Co-ordinators)

Provides an introduction and overview to the Witness Service.  Subjects include; the History of Victim Support; the role of the volunteer in the Witness Service; practicalities at your court; an introduction to Victim Support’s equal opportunities policy.

Module 2 – The criminal justice system and witnesses’ needs

Includes an overview of the criminal justice system – pre-trial processes; prosecution decisions, bail and remand; identifying different personnel at court and their respective functions, how crime affects people psychologically; understanding reactions to crime.

Module 3 - The criminal justice system and witnesses’ needs (Part 11)

Demystifying legal jargon; overview of the main features of a trial in the magistrates’ court; being aware of the range of sentences available.  Identify different groups of people who may need support, for example victims who may or may not be called as witnesses; prosecution and defence witnesses; families and friends of witnesses or victims.

Module 4 – Equality and diversity in the Witness Service

Encourages participants to consider how their own judgements and assumptions influence the service they provide to all court users; what Victim Support’s equal opportunities means in a court setting; and how the specific needs of certain groups of service users can be met by the witness service.

Module 5 – Communication skills (2 days)

This module builds on volunteers’ existing skills and uses practice and role plays.  It includes working with witnesses using the tool of active listening, looking at ways of dealing with anger, developing strategies for dealing with difficult behaviour, understanding what empathy is and how to convey it.

Module 6 – Vulnerable and intimidated witnesses

Identifying vulnerable or intimidated witnesses, being aware of the special measures available to aid these witnesses in giving their evidence.  Working with children and young people and looking at issues around working with victims of domestic violence.  Review of whole course.

Module 7 – Trial day

A mock trial to be organised locally

Module 8 – Follow up day

Looking at issues that have come up for volunteers since starting their work; troubleshooting; sharing best practice; any other training needs identified.

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