At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people at risk of offending and help them re-engage with education.
- Company: Independent Alternative Provision School in Leeds, focused on positive change.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, term-time work, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and promote positive pathways.
- Qualifications: Experience with challenging behaviours and understanding of safeguarding policies.
The predicted salary is between 19000 - 22000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting a Young Offenders Support Assistant to work with young people who are involved with, or at risk of, offending behaviour within a specialist alternative provision in Leeds. This role requires a resilient, proactive, and trauma-informed individual who can support young people to make safer choices, reduce risk, and re-engage with education and positive pathways. The provision supports learners who may present with complex behavioural needs and may be known to services such as Youth Offending Teams (YOT), social care, or other external agencies. The setting operates across two sites – a main education provision and an outdoor learning environment – offering a blend of practical, vocational, and therapeutic approaches. The successful candidate must be flexible and willing to work across both.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide targeted support to young people at risk of offending or involved in the youth justice system
- Build positive, professional relationships with learners who may be disengaged from education and authority
- Support behaviour management using restorative and trauma-informed approaches
- Act as a positive role model, promoting pro-social behaviour and decision-making
- Support learners in understanding consequences, choices, and personal responsibility
- Contribute to risk management and intervention strategies; work towards individual targets set within EHCPs, behaviour plans, and intervention programmes
- Maintain accurate records relating to behaviour, engagement, and risk factors
- Support emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and life-skills development
- Work collaboratively with teaching staff, safeguarding leads, and external agencies (e.g. YOT, social care, police)
- Promote engagement, self-esteem, and positive future pathways
The Young People
- Aged 11–16
- Present with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs
- May be at risk of or involved in offending behaviour
- May display behaviours linked to trauma, exploitation (CCE), or adverse childhood experiences
- Require clear boundaries, consistency, and strong relational support
Person Specification
- Minimum of 6 months’ experience working with young people with challenging or high-risk behaviours (professional or personal capacity)
- Experience supporting disengaged or “at risk” young people
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-agency team
- Understanding of safeguarding policies and risk management
Desirable Experience
- Experience working within youth justice, YOT, or intervention-based roles
- Experience in alternative provision, youth work, or specialist education settings
- Experience supporting young people involved in anti-social behaviour or offending pathways
- Experience liaising with external agencies and multi-agency teams
Qualifications (Desirable, not essential)
- Youth Work, Criminology, Psychology, or related qualification
- First Aid qualification
Knowledge & Understanding
- Understanding of risk factors linked to youth offending
- Awareness of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and county lines
- Understanding of trauma-informed and restorative approaches
- Awareness of social and environmental factors impacting young people
Skills & Abilities
- Strong communication skills with young people, families, and professionals
- Ability to de-escalate high-risk and challenging situations calmly
- Ability to manage conflict and support restorative conversations
- Problem-solving and reflective practice skills
- Basic IT skills for record keeping and reporting
- Ability to motivate and inspire positive behavioural change
Personal Attributes
- Resilient, calm, and emotionally intelligent
- Able to build rapport with young people who may mistrust authority or professionals
- Firm but fair approach with clear boundaries
- Values equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Maintains confidentiality and professional boundaries
- Motivated, reliable, and flexible
Young Offenders Support Assistant in Leeds employer: Engage Partners Limited
Engage Partners Limited is an excellent employer for those looking to kickstart their career in education, particularly as a Primary Teaching Assistant Apprentice in Dartford. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers a fully funded Level 3 Apprenticeship, comprehensive training, and mentoring, all within a supportive work culture that values learning and development. This role not only allows you to earn while you learn but also provides a meaningful opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Young Offenders Support Assistant in Leeds
✨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 Engage Partners Limited.
✨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 Engage Partners Limited!
✨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 Engage Partners Limited, 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 Engage Partners Limited 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 Young Offenders Support Assistant in Leeds
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 Engage Partners Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Engage Partners Limited! 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 Engage Partners Limited
✨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.
