Youth Justice Worker

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Youth Justice Worker to join our Prevention and Youth Justice Service (PYJS) here at Wokingham Borough Council on a full time, permanent contract. The service has been rated Good, with outstanding features by HM Inspectorate of Probation and is within the Quadrant 1 of Outstanding practice from the Youth Justice Board.

We are a trauma informed service, who work compassionately and restoratively, with a child first guiding principle. We care about our staff by providing  development opportunities and promoting a healthy work/life balance.  We are a small, hands on team, who work creatively with children, listening to them and involving them in shaping our service. We like to learn and develop so we hold workshops and training events every month. The quality of our work has been recognised by the HMIP inspection from June 2024 and the youth justice board. The impact of our work is evidenced in the 50% reduction of the first time entrants into our service as well as the reduction of the re-offending rates.

As a youth justice worker, you will hold a mix caseload of prevention, diversion, out of court and Court/custodial cases. 

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐ A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more! 

Key Aspects of the role

• We work with children who are at risk of offending or who have already offended to reduce the chances they will offend again and support them achieve their full potential.
• Our prevention and diversion offers are very strong. These include the development and delivery of group work and tailored workshops for children.
• A key aspect of our work is writing analytical and critical assessments, reports and plans. There is a lot of case management and record keeping is an essential part of our job.
• We have a duty to safeguard our children whilst also protecting the public: safety assessments, safety management and safeguarding and welfare of the children we work with is an essential aspect of our role.
• We work in a multi-agency team and context: we support children as part of a network so you must be good communicating with others to overcome barriers and achieve better outcomes for our children.
• Our role involves adherence to many pieces of legislation, frameworks, and guidance which you will have to learn and become familiar with to be able to deliver your role.

Candidate Requirements

• There is an essential  requirement for this role to have a  qualification in Social Work, Probation Services or Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (PCEP). Consideration for candidates without qualification will only be on the basis of them being currently employed as a youth justice worker in another service and to have held that post for a minimum of 6 months. Candidates that do not meet this essential requirement will not be shortlisted. 
• You are knowledgable about the Child First framework, trauma informed approaches,  relevant criminal youth justice legislation, National Standards for Children in Youth Justice and Youth Justice Board best practice guidance. 
• You are familiar with Restorative Justice and the support that victims of crime need.
• You can relate and engage with children and families, who have often experienced trauma.
• You have experience of working with partners to improve outcomes for children.
• You are able to write in an analytical and critical way, interpreting and analysing facts to produce reports and assessments for different audiences.
• You will need to work to tight deadlines, in a fast paced, varied and rapidly changing environment and keep accurate and timely records.
• You will be dynamic, adaptable, resilient and responsive to change to legislation and guidance, the various aspects of your role and children's circumstances.
• You will have the experience of and ability to processing significant amount of written information (i.e. legislation, frameworks).

Due to the requirements of the role, candidates will require a full driving licence and use of vehicle for business use. 

Closing Date: Wednesday 9th April 2025.

Shortlist: applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted on Friday 11th April 2025.

Interviews: will take place on Monday 14th April and Tuesday 15th April 2025  at our office in Wokingham Town Centre. There will be no option for virtual interviews.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!

If you are interested in this role and would like further information or a discussion, please contact: Bea Nigolian bea.nigolian@wokingham.gov.uk

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.     

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. 

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.