Youth Justice Support Officer

YOUTH JUSTICE SUPPORT OFFIER

NEWHAM YOUTH JUSTICE SERVICE

£38,364 - £40,833pa

Cumberland Road Office, Canning Town E13 8LT

Closing date: 20/10/2024 at 23:59

WE ARE NEWHAM

We’re a vibrant, dynamic, culturally rich London Borough with a young population and limitless potential. We’re a challenging yet rewarding place to support young people involved or at risk of being involved with the youth justice system. We are steadfastly committed to our workforce being representative of the families that we work with, and we are taking coordinated, meaningful and focused action to develop an inclusive culture because we believe this is at the heart of enabling diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought. We are taking positive actions to challenge all forms of discrimination and injustice to help make Newham a fairer and more equitable place for children and families to live, learn and thrive. 

We’re building a fairer Newham through investment, co-production and by continuously developing our 'Circles of Support' practice model. Newham’s Youth Justice Service aims to prevent crime, and the fear of crime, by ensuring that services are available to support children and young people in the criminal justice system whilst ensuring the needs of victims and our communities are considered. We aim to prevent offending whilst looking to tackle disproportionality in the justice system and give our young people opportunities to thrive.

ABOUT THE JOB

Youth Justice Support Officers fulfil a range of case management responsibilities working with low to high risk young people, as part of a team approach to case risk management This includes undertaking a full range of assessment, planning, intervention and supervision (APIS) responsibilities with the specific aim of reducing and preventing offending. We seek to improve outcomes for all YJS service users (young people, parents, victims). 

With the support of the YJS Team Manager, Team Manager and/or Youth Justice Officer the YJS Support Officer will provide direct services to children and young people subject to Intensive Support and Surveillance (ISS) provision and/or to provide restorative justice interventions (e.g. Reparation, Victim Services).

Our YJS Officers are usually in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to work directly with the young people we support. 

Please view the job description for more information on the role.

https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/8022/youth-justice-support-officer

ABOUT YOU

You are a passionate advocate for diverting our children and young people from the youth justice system, with experience working with young people at risk of offending and reoffending, understanding the risk factors associated with youth crime, and delivering effective and age-appropriate interventions. 

We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, who can engage and build a rapport with young people and their families, who is confident acting with discretion and sensitivity with confidential information, and who wants to make a positive difference to young people’s lives. 

You have experience working in a multi-agency, public sector or voluntary sector setting, carrying out case management and report writing on young people’s assessed needs, and experience of appropriate assessment, intervention planning, intervention delivery and effective case management recording. 

You have knowledge and understanding of integrated working with services involved with youth justice, and confidence planning and engaging young people in group work programmes that address offending behaviour. You are a quick thinker and problem solver who can analyse information and use this to inform assessments and decisions regarding criminal justice proceedings and finding solutions for young people at risk of offending and re-offending.

WHY WORK WITH US?

We’ve been working hard to make Newham a great place to work.

• A commitment to addressing disproportionality wherever we find it.
• We’re a GOOD local authority focused on reaching excellence.
• We offer genuinely flexible/hybrid working as long as children and young people are seen.
• Stability: 100% of our Senior Managers and 71% of Team Managers are permanent.
• Our firmly established practice model, Circles of Support, was recently nominated for the prestigious MJ Award for Innovation in Children’s Services and allows systemic, restorative practice to flourish.
• Career progression is possible with Newham; we promoted 30 internal colleagues in 2023 and have already promoted 30 to date in 2024.
• A competitive package for YJ Support Officers of up to £40,833pa.
• Oyster card/parking permit for business use.
• Wellbeing service, leisure and discount benefits (Council scheme).
• Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension.

TO APPLY

To apply please submit your CV and a supporting statement (1-2 sides of A4) through our online recruitment portal. 

Shortlisting decisions will be based on candidates' relevant experience and on candidates' suitability for the role in line with the person specification, as described in their supporting statement and CV.

Closing date: 20/10/2023 at 23:59

Interviews: ASAP

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.