Operational Manager – Youth Justice Service

Operational Manager – Youth Justice Service – Croydon Council Salary: Grade 16 (£58,692 – £60,819) Permanent – 36 hours per week Hybrid working Job Purpose The Operational Manager is responsible for the development band and management of a multi-agency team to deliver youth justice services, to meet the key objectives of the Youth Justice Plan and statutory requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The service area covers the Council’s statutory responsibilities for children who offend. The successful candidate will lead on: Court, Probation (transitions) and Custody, manage day-to-day operational activity of the team to prevent and reduce re-offending, improving outcomes for children involved in the criminal justice system, whilst ensuring victims are given the opportunity to have a say. The purpose of this role is to ensure that all referrals received are allocated and responded to in a timely and appropriate manner, prioritising cases according to urgency and need. You will lead, manage and motivate staff providing reflective supervisions, professional support and guidance. About You We are looking for an experienced and appropriately qualified professional that is able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience of working in youth justice service or with young people. This role would also suit a social work qualified professional or a confirmed police officer. You will need to have a knowledge of current practice and service development issues concerning young people who offend and their families. The successful candidate will have a knowledge of the causes of crime, effective methods of reducing offending behaviour, restorative approaches and code of practice for victims of crime. The appointed candidate will be able to demonstrate: Ability to lead and manage in an operational area dealing with high risk and complexity in a way that delivers effective management of risk and vulnerability and produces good outcomes. Relevant management experience gained within a social care/criminal justice/ community safety field. Ability to organise and implement effective working practices, in a multi-disciplinary team. Substantial practitioner experience in the Youth Justice System and experience of supervising staff/students/trainees, both in respect of direct work and in the promotion of professional development. Assessment skills for safety to others and safeguarding work. Benefits You will be valued for your skills and expertise, supported by the team of experienced professionals, as well as the management at Croydon Council, one of the largest employers in the borough. We also offer: Highly competitive compensation package 29-31 days (grade equivalent) annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays and option to purchase more A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 20% Continuing Professional Development – genuine opportunities to grow, develop and specialise in your career Management development programmes Investment into your wellbeing Access to Employee Discount scheme with a range of programmes (Cycle Benefit Scheme, Retail Discounts and more) We promote flexible & hybrid working arrangements where possible to support a healthy work-life balance Full time 36 Hours To view the Operational Manager role profile please click here Closing date: 8 August 2025 @ 11.59pm Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Statement Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check41bf1e1f-b16b-4260-a40a-17c77a06fd15