Practice Manager - Youth Justice Service

Practice Manager - Youth Justice Service

Salary: Grade 14 £50,031 - £52,116
Permanent - 36 hours per week

Hybrid working

Job Purpose

To establish and maintain quality assurance systems to ensure that professional standards are met in respect of safeguarding and management of risk, with the support of Operational managers. To work with and alongside YJS workers at a "hands-on" level to enable them to work restoratively and continually develop their youth justice practice at a practitioner level. To assist gatekeeping and allocation of work and ensure it is managed in accordance with relevant statutory and departmental policies and procedures. Managing and supervising members of the team and delegating appropriate responsibilities to them. To contribute to the development and delivery of the Youth Justice Plan and Youth Crime Prevention Strategy in partnership with other agencies. To communicate effectively and credibly with a range of partner agencies with regard to YJS policy and practice. To chair complex inter agency planning meetings any other meetings, as required within the service area. Undertaking any other duties as may be appropriate to the level and nature of the post as determined by the YJS Manager. To encourage continual development in our lead areas, promoting and delivering training to ensure the embedding of up to date practice. To introduce, embed and continually develop at team level models of systemic practice consistent with the introduction and development of relevant theoretical frameworks. The successful candidate will attend and oversee Youth Court.

About You
A relevant qualification in a discipline involving work with young people or substantial recent experience of direct work with young people and their families involved in Youth Offending services.
Knowledge of current practice and service development issues concerning young people who offend and their families.

Substantial and recent practitioner experience in a YJS. Experience and ability to supervise staff, both in respect of direct work and in the promotion of professional development.
Building effective relationships with young people, families and other professionals.
Knowledge of the causes of crime and effective methods of reducing offending behaviour.
Knowledge of "Outcomes" concepts, quality assurance methodology and change/project management techniques. Knowledge of Restorative Approaches within a Youth Justice context.
Knowledge of diverse, multi-cultural communities and their needs.
Ability to manage dealing with high risk and complexity in a way that delivers effective management of risk and vulnerability and produces good outcomes.
Sound risk assessment skills for youth offending and safeguarding work.
Ability to develop the practice skills of others through a range of methods including reflective supervision, coaching, observation & feedback, training and joint working.
Able to produce high quality evidence-based assessments.
Competent in the use of YJS Case Management Systems.

Benefits
You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer:

Highly competitive compensation package

29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more

A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20%

Continuing Professional Development - genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career

Management development programmes

Investment into your wellbeing

Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, GymFlex, Retail Discounts and more)

We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance

Closing Date: 09 March 2025 at 11:59pm

Permanent full time 36hrs per week

Click here to view the role profile

Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role.

Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced barring DBS check.