Youth Justice Practitioner

This role has a starting salary of £32,512 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a Youth Justice Practitioner in the North Youth Justice Team, to work within a specialist team situated within the Adolescent Service. Our Youth Justice Service are inviting creative individuals who enjoy working working with adolescents (10-18 year olds) and their families to join the team and help make a difference to our young people's lives. This is a full-time opportunity based in Staines and working across Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

Surrey Youth Justice Service (YJS) is a high performing multi-agency partnership which provides services before and after court to meet the statutory requirements of the youth justice system. The YJS sits within the newly formed Adolescent Service portfolio which is part of the Children's, Families and Lifelong Learning Directorate and is committed to integrated working to achieve it's primary aim of preventing offending and reduce reoffending by children. The service works in partnership with a variety of agencies both externally and within the Adolescent Service to ensure children are offered appropriate intervention to address identified risks, meet their needs and build on their strengths. The service seeks to repair the harm caused to victims and communities by addressing the root causes of offending and reoffending by children.

We believe that the welfare of children and their families is paramount. We are enthusiastic and supportive; committed to the provision of quality services for young people and their carers. We are looking for people who share these qualities to join us and continue the good work already being done.

About the Role

Surrey's Youth Justice service works with young people who have either been given an out of court disposal for offending behaviour or who have gone through the Court process and received an outcome. As a Youth Justice Practitioner you'll be managing a caseload of young people who have received a variety of outcomes linked to their offending behaviour. They may have significant additional needs, whether this be neurodiversity, experiences of exploitation, substance misuse, or other significant ACE's (Adverse Childhood Experiences). You will work with the team to support young people to achieve their potential and reduce the likelihood of them coming to harm using motivational interviewing and other evidence-based approaches.

As a member of our team you will be working alongside social workers, other partner agencies and the voluntary sector to support children and their families in the community. You will be well supported and training will be provided to ensure competence and professional development so that you are confident in your role. We will also ensure you receive a full induction and monthly supervision.

Although the contractual base will be Leacroft Family Centre, whilst the role is based in the North of Surrey and substantial travelling across the North of Surrey will be expected, it should also be noted that travel across the whole of Surrey and further afield may also be required to support children in care placed out of county or those who go into custody.

Shortlisting Criteria

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours: 

• Relevant professional qualification or considerable experience of working within the service area
• Experience of working with adolescents and the ability to demonstrate how your work has resulted in positive outcomes
• Experience of working with partners to manage risk and effect positive change
• Proven written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with good negotiation and influencing skills, and the ability to maintain effective working relationships at all levels
• High level problem solving skills with the capacity to devise and implement innovative solutions
• Ability to communicate with compassion and authority in challenging situations and with resistant individuals, be able to effectively engage with people in complex situations both short-term and building relationships over time

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.