At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead practice and support colleagues in transforming lives of children and young people.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Havering's Youth Justice Service, dedicated to safeguarding and supporting youth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career progression and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vulnerable young people and help shape brighter futures.
- Qualifications: Experience in Youth Justice or related fields, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 207 - 207 £ per hour.
Grade 9 - £54267 - £58461 pa (plus 4k MS Payment)
Service: Specialist Safeguarding and Youth Justice
Directorate: People
Location: London Borough of Havering
Contract: Permanent
DBS Requirement: Enhanced Children's DBS
Help Transform Lives and Build Safer Communities
Are you an experienced Youth Justice professional looking for an opportunity to lead practice, support colleagues and make a lasting difference to children and young people? The London Borough of Havering is seeking an outstanding Advanced Practitioner to join our Youth Justice Service. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner who is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children, reducing offending, safeguarding vulnerable young people and strengthening families.
Working alongside the Team Manager, you will play a key role in driving high-quality practice across the service, providing professional leadership, mentoring colleagues and supporting the management of complex and high-risk cases.
About the Role
As an Advanced Practitioner, you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of a high-performing Youth Justice Service that safeguards children, young people, families and communities. You will:
- Provide expert practice leadership and consultation across the Youth Justice Service.
- Support practitioners managing complex cases involving serious youth violence, exploitation, gangs, criminal behaviour, vulnerability and safeguarding concerns.
- Deliver and oversee statutory interventions within youth justice, criminal justice and social care frameworks.
- Ensure risk assessments, intervention plans and safeguarding plans are completed to a consistently high standard.
- Promote child-first, trauma-informed and restorative approaches to practice.
- Coach, mentor and develop practitioners to improve performance and outcomes.
- Contribute to quality assurance, auditing and service improvement activities.
- Support the Team Manager in delivering performance targets, national standards and Youth Justice Board requirements.
- Build effective relationships with police, probation, education, health, social care and community partners.
- Support the development of policies, procedures, practice guidance and workforce development initiatives.
- Champion the participation and voice of children, young people and victims throughout assessment, planning and intervention.
About You
You will be a highly skilled practitioner with significant experience within Youth Justice, Children's Social Care or a related safeguarding service. You will have:
- A recognised professional qualification relevant to Youth Justice, Social Work, Probation, Youth Work or a related field.
- Substantial experience working with children and young people who offend or are at risk of offending.
- Strong understanding of Youth Justice legislation, safeguarding frameworks and national standards.
- Experience of managing complex, high-risk and multi-agency cases.
- Excellent assessment, risk management and intervention planning skills.
- Experience of supporting, coaching and developing colleagues.
- Strong partnership-working and relationship-building abilities.
- Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills.
- A commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children, families and victims.
What We Offer
At Havering, we are committed to creating an environment where our staff can thrive and develop. We offer:
- A supportive and collaborative management team.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
- Access to specialist training and development.
- Flexible working arrangements where service needs allow.
- Regular supervision and reflective practice support.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- The opportunity to influence practice and improve outcomes for children and young people across the borough.
Why Join Havering?
Our Youth Justice Service is committed to delivering innovative, child-centred practice that helps children move away from offending and towards positive futures. This is an opportunity to join a service that values professional curiosity, restorative approaches and partnership working. If you are passionate about safeguarding children, supporting families and leading excellent practice, we would love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape brighter futures for Havering's children and young people.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 20/9/26; however, interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early. You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.
Should you require any help or advice with your online application, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk on 01708 432770.
Additional Information: We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.
The London Borough of Havering 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.
Advanced Practitioner Youth Justice Service in Romford employer: Borough of Havering
Havering is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a significant impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to systemic practice, access to accredited training, and a supportive work culture, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented team in a role that is both meaningful and rewarding. Join us in a vibrant community where your expertise is valued, and together we can create positive outcomes for those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Practitioner Youth Justice Service in Romford
✨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 Borough of Havering.
✨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 Borough of Havering!
✨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 Borough of Havering, 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 Borough of Havering 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 Advanced Practitioner Youth Justice Service in Romford
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 Borough of Havering:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Havering! 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 Borough of Havering
✨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.
