At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in the community, helping them overcome challenges and reduce offending behaviour.
- Company: Essex County Council, dedicated to improving lives and promoting wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for unpaid carers.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience, with a passion for youth development.
The predicted salary is between 37698 - 37698 £ per year.
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: Fixed term until March 2029
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
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).
- Complete sessions with young people covering a range of topics, including life skills, offending behaviour, restorative justice and constructive pursuits. These sessions are completed both in the community and at home addresses.
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.
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 mobility 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.
Benefits
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
Equality and Diversity
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 role. We also commit to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role. All employees are expected to uphold the code of conduct and the Nolan principles.
DBS Update Service
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC), if your role requires a DBS check, you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Safeguarding
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: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the development and wellbeing of children and families. With a commitment to employee growth through continuous professional development and flexible working arrangements, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Located in Chelmsford, employees benefit from a vibrant local environment while contributing to innovative youth justice initiatives aimed at reducing offending and enhancing rehabilitation.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council!
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council, 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan Council! 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨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.
