At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in reducing anti-social behaviour through tailored intervention plans.
- Company: Achieving for Children, a not-for-profit social enterprise with a community focus.
- Benefits: 29 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and their families.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work, Criminology, Law, Psychology, or Sociology required.
The predicted salary is between 36840 - 44962 £ per year.
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.
As a YJS Case Worker you will be working with Prevention, Early Intervention and Statutory children. You will be completing a comprehensive written assessment of the child and their family, identifying an individualised intervention plan, which will help and support them to reduce the risks of anti-social or offending behaviour. When required you will complete Referral Order Panel Reports & Pre-sentence Reports to assist the court in sentencing. In addition, you will be supporting the team as duty worker and Court officer on a rota basis, as well as attending professionals meetings as a YJS representative. Completing direct work, either one to one or in groups with children and their families. You will also be supporting children and their families to have access to a wide range of services through signposting to local and national services.
Operational area: Windsor and Maidenhead
Primary place of work: The Project Centre, Reform Road, SL6 8BY
Work Setting: Hybrid Working
Appointment type: Permanent
Business area: Children's Social Care
Full time/Part time: Full-time
Salary from: £35,292 (G6.41) Salary to: £39,158(G6.44)
Hours: 37
Estimated Interview date/s: 09/09/2026, 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 16/08/2026
Job Reference: 2444
About the role: As a YJS Case Worker you will be working as part of a multi-agency service with Prevention, Early Intervention and Statutory children. You will hold case responsibility for the children allocated to you and complete comprehensive written assessments of the child and their family, identifying an individualised intervention plan, which will help and support them to reduce the risks of anti-social or offending behaviour.
- Completing timely and thorough assessments for justice involved children
- Planning and delivering bespoke interventions based on need
- Attending Court as YJS Court Officer and acting as YJS duty officer
- Completing Pre-Sentence and Referral Order reports
- Attending professionals meetings as YJS representative
About you: As a YJS Case Worker you will be committed to providing an excellent service to justice involved children and families. You will work towards the principles and aims of achieving positive change for the children and keeping children, victims and communities safe. Supporting young people to develop a pro-social identity to prevent them from (re) offending.
You will have:
- A degree in a relevant field which can include but not exclusive to Social Work, Criminology, Law, Psychology or Sociology.
- Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System in relation to children and young people.
- A good understanding of safeguarding and Child Protection procedures and processes
- Experience of working in social, educational, health, youth, community or youth justice setting
- Experience of completing written assessments, reports and intervention plans, and awareness of working with different types of offending behaviour, including Harmful Sexual Offending Behaviour.
About our benefits: We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
Important Information: Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Youth Justice Service (Yjs) Case Worker in Maidenhead employer: Achieving For Children
Achieving for Children is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead and shape a brand-new supported accommodation service in Maidenhead. With a strong commitment to providing high-quality support for vulnerable young people, we foster a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development and personal growth. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the benefits of flexible working arrangements and being part of a dedicated team focused on positive outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Service (Yjs) Case Worker in Maidenhead
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Achieving For Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Achieving For Children!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Achieving For Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Achieving For Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Justice Service (Yjs) Case Worker in Maidenhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Achieving For Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Achieving For Children! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Achieving For Children
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
