At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in the justice system, preventing re-offending through mentoring and assessments.
- Company: Southend-on-Sea City Council, dedicated to improving community lives.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; dynamic role with significant community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification in Youth Justice or related field and relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Your new company Southend-on-Sea City Council is a unitary local authority, providing vital services to meet the needs of the local community. We employ around 1,800 staff who work alongside our partners and local communities to deliver the city vision and make lives better for the people of Southend. Working for Southend-on-Sea City Council offers a challenging and rewarding career in local government within a collaborative and innovative environment, with the benefit of flexible working practices to support a positive work-life balance.
Your new role Southend City Council are looking to appoint a full-time, permanent Youth Justice Officer to ensure that the Council provides a first-class professional service within the Youth Justice Service (YJS) by working for a needs-led service to children, young people and their families in order to prevent offending and re-offending. The post requires the officer to manage a case load of very complex young people who have offended seriously and entered the criminal justice system. This post involves understanding and managing the protection of the public and safeguarding young people.
The expectation is to work in the courts; representing cases of young people and giving high-quality information to magistrates and judges, both verbally and by way of pre-sentence reports. The expectation is to complete assessments of high quality to inform decisions of recommendations to the court, levels of risk both to public and safety and well-being and inform good quality intervention plans. As the YJS, you will be supervising and enforcing complex community and custodial sentences, and delivering services to young people through support and mentoring.
You will be required to work on highly complex cases that pose significant risk to others in the community. This could include young people involved in harmful sexual behaviour, gangs/County Lines [serious youth violence]. You will ensure high-quality assessments, intervention planning, reviews and risk. The role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to engage young people and their families whilst they are on a court order. Within this position, hybrid working opportunities are available. However, you are required to be on-site at the Civic Centre a minimum of 3 days a week.
What you'll need to succeed To be successful in this position, you must have UK Youth Justice experience. You must have a relevant professional qualification to degree level (or equivalent) in Youth Justice, Careers, Education & Guidance, Youth & Community, Probation Service or Social Work. As well as extensive experience of undertaking assessments and writing reports and court work. Assessing and managing the risk of harm to others and protecting the public, managing the safety and well-being of young people both in the community and in custody. Have a good knowledge of how to manage the risks young people pose to re-offending with evidence of continuing professional development and extensive knowledge of methods of youth justice intervention, child protection and prevention.
What you'll get in return When joining the council, you can enjoy a range of benefits including: 25 days annual leave, flexible working and excellent training and development opportunities. They are committed to ensuring that you are supported in this varied and challenging role with the appropriate level of training.
What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.
Youth Justice Social Worker/Youth Justice Officer in Southend-on-Sea employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers
Hays Education is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for SEN SLD/PMLD teachers in the Hounslow/Hillingdon area. With access to exclusive vacancies, ongoing professional development, and a dedicated consultant to guide your career, you will find ample opportunities for growth while making a meaningful impact on the lives of pupils with special educational needs. Join us to be part of a community that values inclusivity and fosters both personal and professional development.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Social Worker/Youth Justice Officer in Southend-on-Sea
✨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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers.
✨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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers!
✨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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers, 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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers 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 Social Worker/Youth Justice Officer in Southend-on-Sea
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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers! 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 Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Careers
✨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.
