If you have been sentenced to Unpaid Work you will be expected to carry out work that is demanding and that will benefit other people. You will be paying back the community for the harm or damage your offending has caused. Visit our Community Payback pages to find out more about the type of work you may be involved in.
There are lots of different types of work available. The officer responsible for your sentence will talk to you about what will be most suitable for you.
Read on to find out what's expected of you during your order, what you can expect from Surrey and Sussex Probation Trust, what happens if you break the rules and how Unpaid Work can be a positive experience.
What We Expect Of You
You should:
- Listen carefully to what your supervisor says and do what they ask you to do
- Turn up for Unpaid Work sessions on time
- Make sure you are in a fit state to take part and are properly dressed
- Show respect to probation staff and other people you meet during your sentence
- Tell us straight away if you plan to change your address or phone number
- Tell us straight away if you are unable to make it to an Unpaid Work session
- Tell us if you are having any other problems with completing your sentence
- Stay out of trouble.
If you miss an appointment you should get in touch with us as soon as possible and tell us why. If you have a good reason for not being able to attend a session you should provide us with evidence. This might be a doctor's note or a letter from your employer, for example.
You should not:
- Miss any appointments
- Attend under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Behave in an aggressive, racist or other unacceptable way.
If you break the rules...
...you may be returned to court for breaching your order. Visit our breach section for an explanation of this process.
What You Can Expect From Us
Your supervising officer will:
- Explain your sentence to you
- Talk to you about the plan for your sentence
- Make clear the sort of work you will be doing
- Explain where you will need to be and at what time you must be there
- Explain what will happen if you do not turn up for work
- Make arrangements for you to be taken back to court if you do not cooperate or comply with your order
- Review your progress and work with you to complete your sentence successfully
- Treat you fairly.
