At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in overcoming challenges and reducing offending behaviour through tailored interventions.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in youth justice with a compassionate culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours, including one weekend a month, with travel across Essex.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and contribute to community safety.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience, with a passion for working with youth.
Fixed Term, Full Time £33,049 to £37,698 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Operational field-based worker
Closing Date: 5th July
Contract type: Please note that this is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until March 2029
Interview Date: 16th and 17th July 2026 in Chelmsford
Job Purpose
Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
The Role
Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. This role is funded through a Ministry of Justice grant delivered in partnership across Essex, Southend and Thurrock Youth Justice Services, focused on reducing the number of children remanded to custody. The programme strengthens community-based alternatives by providing intensive bail support, enhanced supervision and surveillance, helping courts make informed decisions that keep children safely in the community wherever possible. Working as part of a consortium, the service aims to improve outcomes for children, reduce unnecessary use of custody, and build confidence in robust, multi‑agency approaches to managing risk and supporting rehabilitation. This role will contribute to the overall aim of the YJS, to reduce offending by young people, through working closely with family, schools and other relevant key agencies to address the factors leading to offending.
Accountabilities
- Complete comprehensive and high-quality assessments of young people using ASSETplus and other approved YJS risk tools in accordance with National and Service standards.
- Create and deliver effective intervention plans that evidence input from young people and parents/carers and utilise all YJS resources and work collaboratively with other partnership providers to access additional services to support the young person and prevent further offending.
- Build effective interagency working relationships, to have an understanding of voluntary and statutory agencies and have an awareness of opportunities within the local community.
- Responsible for holding a caseload of young people subject to statutory Court orders and Out of Court Disposal interventions.
- Undertaking direct work to address the criminogenic factors that underpin young people’s offending behaviour.
- Ensure risk and safeguarding processes in accordance with YJS policies and procedures.
- Consistent, accurate and timely record keeping, utilising the Youth Justice case management system (IYSS).
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
- To complete sessions with young people covering a range of topics, including lifeskills, offending behaviour, restorative justice and constructive pursuits. These sessions are completed both in the community and at home addresses.
This role will require the successful candidate to work one weekend in four, taking a day off both the week before and after their working weekend. The candidate will also receive a 6% enhancement on their salary. The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area, including travelling around the County of Essex. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Qualified to NVQ Level 3 (A Level) or equivalent by experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
- Expert knowledge of the criminogenic factors that underpin young people’s offending behaviour and development.
- Experience of working creatively with young people whilst taking into account their learning needs and stage of development.
- Demonstrable experience of working directly with young people and skills to engage hard to reach young people and their families/carers.
- Excellent communication skills and IT literate to ensure high quality recording on YOS case management system.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Youth Justice Service Assistant Practitioner in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises the development and wellbeing of children and families. With a strong commitment to employee growth, evidenced by our Outstanding Ofsted ratings, we provide extensive training and professional development opportunities, ensuring that our staff are equipped to make a meaningful impact in the community. Working in Chelmsford not only allows you to be part of a dedicated team focused on reducing youth offending but also offers a vibrant location with access to various local amenities and a strong sense of community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Service Assistant Practitioner in Chelmsford
✨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 Essex County Counci.
✨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 Essex County Counci!
✨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 Essex County Counci, 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 Essex County Counci 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 Assistant Practitioner in Chelmsford
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 Essex County Counci:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Essex County Counci! 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 Essex County Counci
✨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.
