Youth Justice Officer - Req24613

Temporary Maternity Cover until March 2025

We are looking for Youth Justice Officer to cover for maternity leave who want 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 individuals who are prepared to work hard, collaborate with other agencies and listen and respond to children and young people, focussing on their strengths and building their resilience.  You will need show that you can work restoratively and holistically and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to child-first principles.  
We are looking for Youth Justice Officer who understand what good practice looks like within the Youth Justice system and who can work effectively with others in a culture of high support and high challenge. Your responsibilities will relate to the case-management of statutory orders and also pre-court disposals.  

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, which will include working weekends and evenings on occasion
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and court processes
• Experience of working with young people and their families
• Excellent communication, assessment and report writing skills – all of which may also be required in a court setting
• A positive, professional approach with excellent IT skills
• 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
• 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 and ask for Karen Fawcett 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 Youth Justice Officer is subject to you being registered with Social Work England as eligible to practice.
Closing date for all applications is 30 April 24
Interviews to be held week beginning 20 May 24

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 with young people and their families to reduce their risk of offending or re-offending, in accordance with relevant legislation, National Standards for Youth Justice, YJS values and the Youth Justice Plan for Leeds.

Responsibilities: 

To positively engage young people and their families in order to improve their outcomes, working in an inclusive, restorative and trauma informed manner, with high challenge and high support

To undertake thorough, effective and analytical assessments of young people, with particular regard to the risk of offending, level of harm posed to the public and risk to the young person’s own safety and wellbeing, in accordance with YJS risk management and safeguarding procedures. This will include completion of the appropriate specialist risk assessment tools and working closely with other agencies.

To work in an anti-oppressive manner, promoting equality and ensuring that diversity issues are addressed

To sequence, plan, develop, co-ordinate, deliver and review programmes of focused work to young people on a group and individual basis, including those subject to intensive supervision, demonstrating an understanding and application of the theories and methods of effective Youth Justice practice and evidence based practice research

To take account of the views and interests of victims and issues of public safety and public confidence

To work with the families of young people who offend to improve outcomes for the family

To prepare timely and analytical pre-sentence and other reports to a high quality

To encourage and enable young people’s participation in all aspects of service delivery, helping them make informed decisions and enabling them to clarify and express their needs and contribute to service planning

To take an active role in Court as required, including the participation of Court duty office rota, and other liaison services

To maintain effective, accurate and timely administrative systems and provide all information necessary for accountability, case management, statistical and monitoring purposes, taking full account of information sharing protocols

To actively contribute to a culture of innovation, restorative practice, new ideas and learning within the team and wider Service. This includes making proactive and positive use of management oversight and support, team meetings, Service briefings, training and written communication to reflect critically on practice and exploring different approaches to effective working and implementing change as appropriate

To work flexibly, including evening and weekend work as required, to meet the needs of young people

To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Service

To comply with the requirements of all Leeds Youth Justice Service, Leeds City Council and Departmental policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Qualifications: 

Professional Social Work qualification, or Probation Studies Diploma, or Diploma in Youth & Community Work or Foundation Degree in Youth Justice.  If the post holder is eligible for registration with the HCPC they will be required to maintain this registration whilst in post.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: The post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure and Barring Service..  In discharging its social services function under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, Leeds Children and Family Services 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 

Ability to engage to and establish constructive relationships with young people and their families to work to bring about positive change in their behaviour.

Ability to work restoratively with young people and their families with high challenge and high support in order to improve their outcomes

Ability to analyse information from a wider variety of sources, use judgement and make defensible decisions, particularly regarding risk

Ability to engage and work constructively with the wider family unit

Excellent case management skills, engaging and involving all relevant parties

Ability to challenge discrimination, prejudice and oppressive behaviour and work in ways which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility

Self-motivation, initiative, enthusiasm, creativity, responsiveness and an ability to work to deadlines. 

Ability to develop and deliver effective, trauma informed individual and group work programmes.

Ability to prepare high quality and well informed, analytical pre-sentence reports and other reports within National Standards.

High standard of both oral and written presentation skills.

Ability to work in partnership and manage and share information appropriately, effectively, accurately and concisely between service users, carers, victims, colleagues and other agencies.

High levels of competence in the use of technology and excellent organisational skills

Knowledge required 

Professional social work qualification, Diploma in Probation Studies, Youth and Community Work qualification or Foundation Degree in Youth Justice

Detailed understanding of Youth Justice legislation and practice guidance and court processes

An understanding of the evidence base regarding effective practice with young people who offend and of recent research in the field

Understanding of the principles of a child friendly and restorative city

Understanding of the victim’s perspective, restorative approaches and issues of public confidence

Understanding of trauma informed safeguarding practice

Experience required 

Case management in a justice or social work setting

Working with young people in crisis 

In safeguarding young people

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required 

Committed to YJS values

Committed to continuous improvement.

Ability to understand and observe the Council’s Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Information Management policies.

Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.

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