Practice Manager - Req24581

Job title: YJS Practise ManagerFTC to 31.3.25
Contract: FTC to 31.3.25
Salary: Scale NJC Points 32 to 35. £43421 - £46464

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

Leeds Youth Justice Service is seeking to recruit a youth justice Practice Manager who wants to improve outcomes for children and young people, within the context of Leeds’ aim to be a Child Friendly and Restorative City. The role is a challenging one, and requires a confident, motivated individual who is prepared to work collaboratively to develop and improve practice across the Service.   You will need show that you can work restoratively and holistically and that you are skilled in coaching others and overseeing practice, with an understanding of and commitment to child-first principles.   You will need to have a detailed understanding of what good youth justice practice looks like and how to work with others in a culture of high support and high challenge. Specifically, you will need:

• A CQSW/DipSW/Diploma in Probation Studies/Diploma in Youth and Community Work/Foundation Degree in Youth Justice or equivalent
• A commitment to multi-agency, restorative working and a flexible approach
• Expertise in relevant criminal justice and safeguarding legislation / practice guidance and an excellent understanding of the evidence base for effective practice with young people who offend
• Experience of providing structured supervision, mentoring and coaching
• Ability to inspire and motivate others, manage performance and work in a solution focussed way
• Ability to establish constructive relationships with children in the justice system and their families to bring about positive change
• Excellent IT skills, attention to detail and the ability to analyse data
• Proven commitment to equality and diversity

In return we offer:

• The chance to be part of an energetic, creative and ambitious Service, which is passionate about making a difference to young people, families and communities
• The opportunity to become part of an ‘outstanding’ Children and Families Directorate, in a large, vibrant city with a great diversity of communities and areas of significant deprivation
• Excellent terms and conditions, including access to the local government pension scheme, generous annual leave entitlements and other employee benefits
• An excellent support and professional development offer
• The opportunity to work flexibly, including hybrid working

For an informal discussion about this post please contact our Youth Justice Centre reception on 0113 3782055 or email leeds.yos.admin@leeds.gov.uk

Leeds YJS has a commitment to safeguarding children and young people which is reflected in staff selection.  This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.  If you hold a DipSW or CQSW your appointment as a YJS Practice Manager is subject to you being registered with Social Work England as eligible to practice. 

Closing date for all applications is 7 May

Interviews to be held week commencing  13 May

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description:

Job Purpose: To work strategically across the cluster, wedge and city wide multi-agency partnerships, to ensure the needs of children, young people and their families are appropriately met through the use of effective Early Help.

Key Working Relationships

• Families First Team
• Directorate of Children Service unit
• Children Leeds Workforce Development Team
• Service mangers from partner agencies / organisations in Leeds wedges that work with children and families, for example; Children and Young Peoples’ Social Care, Leeds PCT, education, early years, youth services, voluntary groups
• Practitioners from partner agencies/organisations see above
• Safeguarding children board and local groups

Responsibilities: 

To promote and support Early Help approaches, good practice and interventions 

To lead developments in integrated working practice using wide discretion and initiative to ensure effective undertaking of the following:

• Supporting individual staff to develop best practice.
• undertaking joint assessment visits and meetings with children and families as appropriate to support families with complex issues linked to safeguarding
• promoting the use of solution focus and restorative practices
• contributing to identifying IT requirements for an electronic case management solution to support early intervention
• identifying barriers to successful implementation of integrated processes
• producing, promoting guidance, policy and practice, to overcome barriers
• analysing complex activity data to implement solutions over the long term period
• managing a “duty system” offering relevant up to date information advice and guidance to all practitioners and managers on integrated processes
• managing consultations on Early Help ensure clarity of best practice and management of need/risk at a local level as appropriate
• screening requests for Early Intervention Fund and overseeing the relevant budget
• ensuring quality assurance processes for early help, capture relevant data to inform professional development processes within single agencies and city wide
• monitoring services responses to levels of need and risk, reporting issues and providing appropriate support / challenge to colleagues in order to improve outcomes for children and families
• providing individual case work support on all aspects of integrated working including service eligability criteria, to enhance quality, provide capacity, clarity, consistency, safeguarding and information sharing legislation and guidance
• leading on planning and delivery  of training/briefings on integrated processes to relevant audiences
• contributing to guidance on policy and practice, to overcome barriers and set clear standards of quality assurance in the use of integrated processes
• producing written reports on early help activity including relevant analysis of all related performance data as required.
• ensuring representation from the team on local safeguarding, cluster, guidance and support groups as required 
• maintaining an excellent knowledge of safeguarding issues processes and procedures and provide advice to practitioners and managers accordingly
• To participate in regular objective setting and appraisal
• Maintain knowledge, skills and competencies through continuous professional development
• Keep up to date with current policy and research
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure, where appropriate, compliance with national and local information sharing guidance and protocols
• To contribute to the delivery of national and local priorities as set out in the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan 
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holder’s grade as agreed with their line manager.
• To participate in and provide training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.

Qualifications: It is essential that the post holder has a relevant Level 4 qualification  relevant to the children’s workforce, or is in the process of completing this.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS This post is subject to a higher level check with the Criminal Records Bureau.  In discharging its function under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, the Directorate is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975 ) and any applicant is obliged to disclose ALL convictions and cautions, no matter how long ago they occurred and regardless of whether the offences were committed as an adult or a juvenile.

Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Skills required 

• Considerable in-depth knowledge and experience of current legislation, policy and research on issues affecting outcomes for children and families. 
• Evidence of being able to influence and set strategic direction.
• Dynamic, open participative and supportive leadership style.
• Awareness of and commitment to keep up to date on relevant policy, standards and guidance relating to children’s services.
• An ability to be self motivated and work strategically in a multi-agency environment. 
• Excellent verbal, presentational and report writing communication skills (in both one to one and group situations).
• Ability to engage and influence senior leaders, managers and practitioners across services dealing with children and families. 
• Establish clear standards for reviewing performance and evaluation.
• Motivate staff and secure commitment to evidence based practice.
• Challenge colleagues constructively and effectively manage change.
• Ability to implement change, manage time and prioritise own and others work effectively.
• An understanding of project management.
• Negotiation and mediation skills.
• IT skills including use of databases.
• Ability to plan deliver and evaluate professional development opportunities.

Knowledge required

• Of Early Help and integrated working.
• Of child protection and other specialist service interventions with families.
• Detailed knowledge of what enables successful implementation of Early Help process and practice.
• An understanding of professional group dynamics.
• Level four qualification or working towards, relevant to children’s workforce.

Experience required 

• Experience of managing and supervising staff.
• Record of achievement in putting evidence into practice.
• Evidence of continuous personal and professional development.
• Record/evidence of successfully leading multi-agency collaboration.
• Evidence of action research undertaken to inform process and practice development.
• Experience of delivering and leading training

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required 

• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Ability to understand and observe the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Knowledge required 

• An understanding of Children’s Services within Leeds

Experience required 

• Effective implementation of quality assurance systems
• In development of practice guidance in quality assurance.