Job Introduction
The Youth Offending Service is an integral part of the Futures Matter multi-agency specialist support teams.
There are excellent career opportunities for highly motivated and experienced staff to join a progressive Youth Offending Service. The most recent inspection completed (December 2023) stated that “there is a stable and dedicated team who passionately advocate for the children and families they work with.
There is a good access to training and learning opportunities, including access to formal qualifications such as the youth justice degree. Staff find managers approachable and supportive: they feel valued by the service and that their hard work is acknowledged and rewarded.”
We are looking for a suitably qualified individual to work across Staffordshire, with a base at the North (Newcastle-Under-Lyme) Operations Hub.
You will be required to work flexibly, with some evening and weekend duties, on a planned basis. Currently, staff work from both home and office base, and regular face-to-face Hub briefings are held in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. We would be willing to consider a job share arrangement for the right candidates.
Main Responsibility
You will:
- support and manage children subject to out of court disposals, community based and custodial sentences.
- have the skills to develop and maintain positive working relationships with complex children subject to SYOS interventions.
- act as Court Officer (including weekends and Bank Holiday cover)
- provide high quality and timely assessments (Asset Plus) and reports, including Pre-Sentence and Referral Order Panel.
- contribute to the development of Restorative Justice and trauma-informed practices.
The Ideal Candidate
You will:
- hold a relevant professional qualification i.e :DipSw/CQSW/Dip PS or equivalent (e.g., Youth Justice Degree) or experience
- have experience of working with children and families and ability to develop positive working relationships.
- have knowledge and understanding of legislation applicable to the Youth Justice sector
- have understanding of effect of trauma in childhood and the impact on child development
- have the ability to work within courts and a diverse range of settings to promote effective practice
- have a proven track record of using assessment, planning and review process in meeting the needs of children and families and public protection
- Ability to write analytical reports to a high standard and maintain accurate records
- be enthusiastic, committed and motivated to make a difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Staffordshire.
For an informal discussion about this position please contact: Adam Roberts or Saul Molloy, Senior Practitioners on: 01782 297615
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
