Scheme

The Magistrates Support Scheme

The Magistrates Support Scheme (MS2)

encourages employers to support sustainable engagement of volunteering to the Magistracy and inspires others to do the same.

The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to the Magistracy community.

Nominated employers recognise that young people may often be at an economic disadvantage when actively participating in this important community role and they pledge to encourage and facilitate their participation.

Nomination and award process

BRONZE AWARD

Bronze award holders:

• are self nominated by employers who pledge to support existing or prospective employees who are members of the Magistrates community. • provide an opportunity at least once every 2 years for employees to receive awareness training on the role of the Magistrates. • receive an electronic certificate and logo to display on their website, stationery and other collateral.

SILVER AWARD

Silver award holders:

• must have already stated their intent to be supportive by registering at the

Bronze level and continuing to meet the requirement of the Bronze level. • should employ at least one individual appointed as a current practicing

Magistrate. • must actively ensure that their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards Magistrate

Volunteering. • must demonstrate support to

Magistrate volunteering by providing at least 5 days’ additional paid leave.

GOLD AWARD

Gold award holders:

• must have already stated their intent to be supportive by registering at the

Silver level and continuing to meet the requirement of the Silver level. • should employ at least one individual or 0.5% of the workforce, whichever is the higher, appointed as current practicing Magistrate(s). • must demonstrate support to

Magistrate Volunteering by providing at least 10 days’ additional paid leave.

Employers can sign up themselves for each award through the Herts Chamber website:

hertschamber.com/magistrates-support-scheme

Silver and Gold nominations will be validated to determine the level of Magistrate appointments within the nominated organisation. Organisations confirmed for the Gold and Silver awards will be formally notified in writing and invited to a relevant award event.

I am delighted to bring this Magistrates Support Scheme initiative to Hertfordshire in collaboration with the Herts Chamber of Commerce, now the first signed up member! This voluntary scheme will transform how business is seen by the community in this crucial area of law and order.

The impact of One YMCA

One YMCA entered the Inspiring Herts Awards for the first time and have been shortlisted as finalists in four categories. They are truly changing and saving lives in Hertfordshire, and ended rough sleeping in Watford in January 2021.

One YMCA have five service areas. Support and Advice oversees their Therapeutic and Specialist Services, supporting vulnerable people experiencing sexual violence and domestic abuse. Their chaplaincy team offer emotional and spiritual support for service users, staff, and volunteers. Their housing services provided 185,030 nights of safe and secure sleep last year, consisting of hostels, shared housing, and supported accommodation, helping the most vulnerable in our community. Kerrie, one of their residents shares her story and the impact One YMCA had in changing her life:

www.oneymca.org/accommodation.

Training and Education encompasses One YMCA’s 4 nurseries support 412 children yearly to learn and develop. Health and Wellbeing includes St Albans community gym and two community HUBs, providing space for people in the community to hire and run classes. Their family work covers children/family centres, working with 9,000 families in East Hertfordshire. One YMCA’s youth team provide mentoring, employability, wellbeing, and creative arts opportunities for many young people. Woodland’s café in Leavesden Country Park provides great quality options at affordable prices, and important training and work experience opportunities to support service users on their journey to independence.

They are already working with some great organisations, including being a charity partner of Herts Chamber Patron - CAE Technology Services. This has provided many partnership opportunities, including volunteering and a generous donation to aid their redevelopment of accommodation services.

If you would like to find out more about One YMCA and how you can help to change and save the lives of the most vulnerable people in the community, contact donna.lawrie@oneymca.org or www.oneymca.org and sign up to their newsletter

Step2Skills are proud to announce our new Inclusive Employment Service

The Inclusive Employment Project, part funded by the European Social Fund, provides full support to unemployed residents of Hertfordshire aged 18+ that have learning and physical disabilities, mental health issues, sensory needs or are neurodiverse to help them into employment, education, or training.

Our Team will help you to identify and develop your skills, so you feel confident when applying for employment and education opportunities.

What will your journey be like?

• You will begin with an initial assessment so we can plan your journey and provide the support you need. • If you have a sight or hearing loss, you will receive help from the Sensory Team. • If you are not ready to apply for jobs straight away you will be assigned a support worker to help you with interview and CV preparation before moving onto an employment adviser. • If you are ready to apply for jobs you will be allocated an employement adviser who will work with you to help you find jobs.

Are you an employer? If you want to find out how you can get involved, please get in touch.

We can support you in recruiting motivated and skilful staff to suit your company. We’ll provide ongoing support to you and your new employee for as long as you need and do this by: • assessing the skills and abilities of our candidates. • matching them to the requirements of the job. • offering work tasters to ensure everyone is confident that the candidate can do the job. • giving advice on reasonable adjustments, disability issues and grants and funds available.

JOB FAIR To celebrate the launch of this service we are holding a job fair on 12th May 2022

Venue: North Herts College Monkswood Way, Stevenage. Herts. SG1 1LA Time: 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm Please pop along if you are a resident looking for employment opportunities or an employer interested in finding out how you can get involved.

Contact us:

Email: IEProject@hertfordshire.gov.uk Call: Stevenage : 01438 844911

Hemel Hempstead: 01442 454464

Visit our website: www.step2skills.org.uk