At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance and improve practices in Youth Justice for better outcomes.
- Company: Hackney Council, known for its innovative approach to children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive pay of £42.77 per hour and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to continuous improvement and impactful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people while promoting equality.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification in Social Work, Probation, or Youth Work with Youth Justice experience.
Are you an experienced Youth Justice professional with a passion for quality assurance, practice improvement, and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people? Hackney Council is seeking an accomplished Youth Justice Quality Assurance Leader to join its highly regarded Youth Justice Service. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role within a multi-agency service dedicated to preventing youth offending, reducing re-offending, and improving the lives of children, young people, and families across the borough.
The successful candidate will lead on quality assurance, audit activity, performance management, and continuous practice improvement across the service.
The Role
As Youth Justice QA Leader, you will be a key member of the Youth Justice Service leadership team, driving high-quality practice and ensuring compliance with National Standards for Youth Justice. You will lead on quality assurance frameworks, audits, service improvement plans, staff development, and performance analysis, while promoting anti-racist and child-centred practice throughout the service.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing quality assurance processes across the Youth Justice Service.
- Managing and overseeing case audits, National Standards reviews, and quality assurance reporting.
- Analysing performance data and identifying opportunities for service improvement.
- Supporting staff development through coaching, mentoring, supervision, and training.
- Ensuring effective risk management, safeguarding, and public protection practices.
- Supporting the development of evidence-based interventions and programmes for children and young people.
- Working collaboratively with courts, police, probation, children's services, health partners, and community organisations.
- Driving anti-racist practice and championing equality, diversity, and inclusion across the service.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A relevant professional qualification such as Social Work, Probation, or Youth Work.
- Significant experience working within a Youth Justice setting with children, young people, and families.
- Strong knowledge of Youth Justice legislation, policy, and National Standards.
- Experience of quality assurance, auditing, service improvement, and project management.
- Expertise in risk assessment, safeguarding, and public protection.
- Experience using AssetPlus and other Youth Justice assessment frameworks.
- Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop professional staff.
- Excellent analytical, reporting, and performance management skills.
- A commitment to anti-racist, restorative, and child-centred practice.
Why Hackney?
Hackney is widely recognised for its innovative approach to children's services and commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes for young people. You'll join a forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, inclusive practice, and continuous improvement, while making a real difference to the lives of children, families, and communities.
To Apply: Get in touch with Jordan Peat, Talent Partner.
Youth Justice Quality Assurance Lead employer: Connect2Hackney
Connect2Hackney is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, allowing Senior Cloud Engineers to thrive in a dynamic environment. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to innovative projects that enhance the community. Located in the vibrant London Borough of Hackney, you will enjoy the unique advantage of working in a diverse area that values transparency and high-quality service delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Quality Assurance Lead
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Connect2Hackney, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Justice Quality Assurance Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Connect2Hackney. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Connect2Hackney. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Hackney
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Connect2Hackney.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Youth Justice Quality Assurance Lead role at Connect2Hackney, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Connect2Hackney that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
