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- Tasks: Lead and support a team focused on shaping positive futures for children in the justice system.
- Company: Join the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service, part of BCP Council, serving a diverse community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, a supportive environment, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a collaborative and inclusive team culture.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified Social Worker or have an equivalent qualification with experience in youth services.
- Other info: Opportunities to work from multiple locations across beautiful Dorset.
The predicted salary is between 49764 - 52805 £ per year.
The Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service (YJS) is looking for a full-time Practice Manager to join our stable and supportive management team. We are open to considering candidates who want to work part-time hours. The ethos of the team is "child first" and all staff have been trained in trauma-informed practice and working restoratively.
Main Responsibilities
The role of the Practice Manager is to provide operational management and supervision to the team, including oversight of risk and decision-making. Our ideal candidate will be creative, resourceful, supportive, and will have a genuine desire to positively shape the futures of children.
The Ideal Candidate
You will be a qualified Social Worker or have an equivalent professional qualification with an assessed level of practice. You will bring a wealth of experience working with children and teenagers, and we would welcome candidates with Restorative Justice Expertise. You will have a clear idea of “what good looks like” for a Youth Justice Service. You will set high standards for your own work and have a clear interest in working in the justice system. As Practice Manager, you will assist the Team Manager and represent the team with external partners and support and develop practice in the team. You will be required to contribute to the annual team plan and to take a lead role in its delivery, including ownership of specific priority areas, for example, Restorative Justice, Court Work, etc.
We are a county-wide service and cover the whole of Dorset. The post is based in Dorchester, although there will also be opportunities to work from our office in North Bournemouth. The Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service is a multi-agency team of skilled and motivated professionals. We are committed to diversifying our workforce and actively welcome a diverse range of applicants.
About BCP Council
Dorset is a county in southwest England. Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service (DCYJS) was formed in 2015 and works across two local authorities, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole (BCP) and Dorset. BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. BCP includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline while Dorset comprises a mainly rural area with market towns and a larger urban area in Weymouth and Portland. Dorset Council has a diverse population of about 380,000. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.
Our Benefits
We offer an excellent benefits package. As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We have been in a process of collective bargaining since 2019 and have positively worked forward to reach an agreed position with the unions for the new contractual offer. This has taken longer than we hoped and therefore we are having to consider all alternative avenues available to enable us to remove inequality in the organisation as a result of bringing together three councils. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation, and all colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. We want to reassure everyone that whichever route is taken to reach the new terms and conditions, we can honour continuous service and there will not be any job reduction as a result of the implementation of Pay and Reward. If you have any questions at all about this process, please feel free to raise this with the hiring manager.
DBS
BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.
YJS Practice Manager employer: BCP Council
Contact Detail:
BCP Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land YJS Practice Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the ethos of the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service. Understanding their 'child first' approach and trauma-informed practices will help you align your experience and values with theirs during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the youth justice field, especially those with restorative justice expertise. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may lead to valuable connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your operational management skills and your ability to positively impact children's futures. Real-life scenarios will showcase your suitability for the Practice Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the local community in Dorset and the challenges faced by its youth. Showing awareness of these issues during your interview will highlight your commitment to making a difference and your understanding of the context in which you'll be working.
We think you need these skills to ace YJS Practice Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the YJS Practice Manager position. Familiarise yourself with the ethos of the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service and how your experience aligns with their 'child first' approach.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience working with children and teenagers, particularly in restorative justice. Emphasise your qualifications as a Social Worker or equivalent, and showcase any leadership roles or management experience that demonstrate your capability for this position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for positively shaping the futures of children. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your creativity, resourcefulness, and commitment to trauma-informed practice. Make sure to address how you can contribute to the annual team plan and specific priority areas.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. Ensure that your writing is clear and professional, as this reflects your attention to detail and commitment to quality work.
How to prepare for a job interview at BCP Council
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a Practice Manager in a Youth Justice Service. Familiarise yourself with concepts like trauma-informed practice and restorative justice, as these are key to the ethos of the team.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with children and teenagers. Highlight any specific instances where you've positively impacted their lives, especially in a justice context, to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Leadership
As a Practice Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be ready to talk about your leadership style and how you support and develop your team members. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with external partners in the past.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team's goals, challenges, and the future direction of the Youth Justice Service. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
