Job title: Youth Justice worker
Salary: £27,711 - £34,314 scale range pts 12-24
Hours: 37
Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31.5.26
Location: Youth Justice Service
Progression beyond point 22 is dependent on successful attainment of the Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate).
We are seeking to recruit youth justice workers to develop our work with children engaging young people and their families within the context of Leeds aim to be a Child Friendly and Restorative City. With a reputation for innovation and excellence both locally and nationally, we are one of the largest youth offending teams in the country, based in four sites across the city.
This is a great opportunity to join our Youth Justice Service in a key role to help safeguard and support children involved in offending, as well as their parents, carers and others affected by their behaviour.
You’ll thrive on challenge to bringing about positive change with children to help them achieve better outcomes. You will need show that you can work restoratively and holistically with children, young people and families, and demonstrate a real commitment to improving their outcomes and reducing levels of offending. You will be an energetic and reflective practitioner, with excellent interpersonal skills and with a thorough understanding of what works in promoting desistence. You will understand the importance of partnership working and managing risk and have a positive approach to diversity.
For an informal discussion about this post please contact  . You will need excellent communication skills and can quickly build rapport and relationships. Also have the ability to assess, plan and complete direct work with young people.
As a Youth Justice worker, you’ll work directly with young people and their families to help children and young people achieve better outcomes and to keep communities safer.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .
About You
As a Youth Justice Worker you will bring to the role:
- Ability to engage and establish constructive relationships with young people and their families to work to bring about positive change in their behaviour.
- To enjoy engaging young people and their families and developing constructive relationships with them
- Experience of working with young people
- Commitment to meeting performance targets and a professional approach
- Excellent assessment skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills and excellent IT and organisational skills
- Proven commitment to equal opportunities and diversity
About The Role
The role is integral to our team covering East North East of the city which a diversity area and offer a variety of interesting and rewarding challenges.
You will be based in a multi agency team and the role provides the opportunity to work with a variety of professions with different skills and experience but similar drive and passion to work with children.
We would also expect you to access opportunities through coaching and training to develop yourself professionally and allow you to better undertake your job role.
What We Offer You
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How To Apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Jenny Bright email
[email protected]A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
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 and the Youth Justice Plan for Leeds
Responsibilities:
- To provide services to a wide range of young people who offend or who are at risk of offending.
- To plan, develop, co-ordinate and deliver programmes of focused work to young people on a group and individual basis, including those subject to intensive supervision.
- To work with the families of young people who offend to improve outcomes for the family
- To work in a restorative manner with young people and their families, with high challenge and high support
- To work in an anti-oppressive manner, promoting equality and ensuring that diversity issues are addressed
- To take account of the views and interests of victims and the wider community
- To act as the Youth Justice Service’s representative at Youth Offender Panels and to provide information and reports for these meetings.
- To hold cases as appropriate, including planning, reviewing and delivering all aspects of the contract or plan.
- To undertake thorough and effective assessments of young people, with particular regard to the risk of offending and level of harm posed to the public in accordance with YJS risk, vulnerability management and safeguarding procedures. This will include completion of the appropriate specialist risk assessment tool.
- To ensure effective liaison with specialist workers, other YJS staff and partner agencies.
- To maintain effective, accurate and timely administrative systems including the keeping of records, writing of reports and provide information necessary for statistical and monitoring purposes.
- To enable young people’s participation in all aspects of service delivery.
- To undertake court duties as required, including the presentation of information about young people appearing in court.
- To devise and co-ordinate appropriate timetables for young people.
- To facilitate access to a range of accommodation providers and provide support with independent living.
- To work co-operatively and restoratively as part of a team and participate positively in team meetings and YJS briefings.
- To work flexibly, including evenings and weekend work as required, to meet the needs of young people.
- To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- 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.
- To undertake other duties as appropriate as required by the Service.
Economic Conditions:
Annual Leave: 25 days per annum plus 5 days pa for 5 years local government service pro rata plus 8 days statutory holidays
Hours: Office hours are between 8.00 am - 9.00 pm Mon - Friday. Considerable flexibility is required to meet the needs of young people and working evenings and/or weekends will be necessary in some teams.
Flexitime: - -
Conditions of Service: NJC Conditions apply
Equal Opportunities: Equal opportunities in the council is about making sure that everyone can fully join in the social, cultural, political and economic life of the city. The City Council is committed to its value of Treating People Fairly; this includes our staff and the people of Leeds. We will make sure that we do not discriminate against people because of their age, impairment, ethnic origin, nationality, religious belief, social class, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and marital status, responsibility for dependants, trade union activity or for any other unfair reason
Health & Safety: The Council believes that ensuring the safety, health and well-being of employees, contractors, service users (including learners) and all others affected by our activities is essential to accomplishing our ambition and values. As a large employer we are committed to being an exemplar for good practice and contributing to the wider health agenda by ensuring that work doesn’t contribute to poor health, using the workplace to improve health and well-being, and supporting our workforce to be “Happy, Healthy and Here”. We expect all employees to contribute to their own individual safety and well being and to that of others who may be affected by their actions.
PROSPECTS:
Promotion: Whilst no guarantee can be given to subsequent promotion, there are currently a number of higher graded posts within the Council which potentially provide the opportunity for career progression. Any subsequent vacancies will be filled in compliance with agreed Council procedures.
Training: The Council has a positive commitment to the training and development of employees in all areas of its activities. Similarly, employees are also expected to adopt a positive attitude to any training provided and also to their own personal development.
Relationships: The post holder will maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within Childrens Services, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies and the general public.
Qualifications: No specific qualifications are needed for this post.
Physical Conditions: The post holder will be based at one of the Leeds Youth Justice Service’s office bases or within the Youth Court. The post holder will be expected to flexible regarding their exact location. Leeds City Council has a no smoking policy.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS This post is subject to a higher-level check with the Disclosure and Barring Service. 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. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements. Progression through the grades will be linked to the appraisal process and subject to you performing your key tasks to a satisfactory level, and where appropriate successful completion of examinations.
Skills Required
- Ability to engage young people, establish relationships and maintain effective dialogue with young people with a view to changing their behaviour positively.
- Ability to work restoratively with young people and their families with high challenge and high support in order to improve their outcomes
- Ability to engage and work constructively with the wider family unit
- Ability to challenge discrimination, prejudice and oppressive behaviour.
- Ability to relate to young people and communicate creatively using a variety of different methods.
- Ability to work in ways which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to undertake appropriate safeguarding, risk of harm and risk of re-offending assessments
- Self motivation, enthusiasm and an ability to work to deadlines in accordance with National Standards.
- Flexibility, adaptability and the willingness to work positively and creatively within a multi-agency team.
- Competence in the use of computers and information technology
Knowledge Required
- Basic knowledge of criminal justice system.
- Understanding of issues affecting young people and why some young people offend.
- Understanding of children’s rights and the principles of the child friendly city.
- Understanding of victim’s perspective, restorative approaches and issues of public confidence.
- Knowledge of a range of effective interventions with young offenders.
- Understanding of health and safety issues
Experience Required
- Direct experience of working with young people to effect positive change.
- Experience of working constructively within a team.
- Experience of involving young people in decision-making
Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics Required
- Able to demonstrate flexibility, and be responsive to the needs of young people within working patterns
- Ability to accept and participate in disciplinary proceedings against young people who fail to comply with requirements.
- Commitment to self and team development.
- Commitment to non-judgmental and restorative practice.
- Able to demonstrate energy, perseverance and belief in a young person’s potential to change.
- 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 and Code of Conduct.
- 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. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates. Progression through the grades will be linked to the appraisal process and subject to you performing your key tasks to a satisfactory level, and where appropriate successful completion of examinations.
Knowledge Required
- Knowledge of the Youth Justice system, legislation and National Standards
- Knowledge of court systems
- Knowledge of childcare legislation
Experience Required
- Experience of working with young offenders.
- Experience of working with families
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