Youth Justice Worker - Req24549

Job title:Youth Justice Worker
Salary: YJW Fixed scale point 12 £13.69 per hour  
Hours: Various sessional hours 5 - up to 20 hrs 
Contract Type: Sessional casual up to March 2025

Leeds Youth Justice Service is seeking sessional Youth Justice workers to work with children and young people in the justice system or at risk of offending, building their resilience and improving their outcomes in life. Our approach is child first, offender second and we work within the context of Leeds aims to be a child friendly and restorative city.

We are looking to build a small pool of sessional staff to work alongside young people (10 – 18 years) in a variety of activities, from undertaking reparation tasks to participating in positive activities in their communities. The work will take place on a one to one or small group basis.

Our sessional workers need to show they can work restoratively with young people and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to child-first principles. They will understand safeguarding and risk management principles and the importance of accountability and working in a team. Most importantly, they will enjoy spending time with young people, be able to get alongside them and work with them positively and constructively.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have relevant personal experience of the justice or care systems. Practical skills in the arts, the outdoors or in DIY are particularly welcome. Candidates will need a level of physical fitness commensurate with undertaking these tasks. 

All successful candidates will also have:

• Experience of working with young people
• A positive, problem solving approach
• Ability to plan, prioritise, manage tasks, record accurately and adhere to policies and procedures in a professional manner
• A commitment to equalities and an understanding of the disadvantages many of our young people face
• A commitment to keeping their skills up to date and attend appropriate training.

WORKING HOURS WILL VARY AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED.WORK IS OFFERED ON AN ‘AS AND WHEN’ BASIS.

There is need for sessional workers in evenings and weekends. You may be expected to transport young people to projects and appropriate vehicle insurance will be required.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

For an informal discussion about this post please contact YJS Youth Justice Centre reception on 0113 3782055. Trevor Woodhouse

Interviews to be held week commencing 9 May 2024

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 supervise and support young people as they undertake restorative and reparative or other activities as directed by the YJS.

Responsibilities:

To provide supervision for and positively engage with young people known to the YJS both in groups and as individuals as they carry out reparation in the community 

To support young people in completing other aspects of their supervision plan, both in groups and as individuals

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

To share practical skills and expertise to ensure tasks are completed to an appropriate quality, including working alongside young people and demonstrating by doing

To work in a restorative manner with young people and their families, with high challenge and high support 

To assess risk in relation to safeguarding and risk of harm to others and to feed this information into formal YJS assessment processes.

To maintain effective, accurate and timely administrative systems and provide all information necessary for statistical and monitoring purposes.

To transport young people, where appropriate, to the locations where such activities may be taking place.

To ensure that Leeds City Council’s health & safety, safeguarding and information sharing procedures are adhered to at all times.

To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous development.

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

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

Relationships: Sessional workers will be expected to work in restoratively with Youth Justice Service staff, victims of crime, volunteers, parents and individuals from other agencies.

Qualifications:  None

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’s 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 and establish constructive relationships with young people on an individual and group basis

Ability to make basic assessments regarding risk of harm, health and safety, vulnerability and safeguarding for young people

Ability to engage with members of the community in a constructive and positive manner

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

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

The ability to motivate others and a positive and practical outlook 

To be able to communicate clearly and accurately in person and in writing, competence in the use of computers and excellent organisational skills

A level of physical fitness commensurate with the expectation of working alongside young people undertaking reparation or other activities

Current driving licence

Knowledge required 

Understanding of children’s rights and the principles of a child friendly city

Understanding of the problems of disadvantaged groups and why some people offend

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

Understanding of health and safety requirements, safeguarding and risk assessment

Experience required 

In working with children and young people

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.