Social Worker – Youth Justice Service

Our employees are at the very heart of the services we provide to the community. To help us achieve our ambitions, we want the best possible team. In return, we will make sure you are rewarded with a great range of staff benefits to support you in and out of work.

Kirklees Youth Justice Service (YJS) is a multi-agency partnership comprising social work, health, police, careers, restorative justice, probation and youth justice professionals. The YJS sits alongside the Youth Engagement Team, which together form the Youth Engagement Service, providing support for children identified at risk of all forms of exploitation and criminal behaviours.

As a Social Worker within the YJS, you will be working closely with Youth Engagement Team colleagues and will on occasion be responsible for working with children at risk of exploitation as well as offending. The primary focus of the role will be working within the YJS to engage children in the justice system in order to prevent further offending and support them to reach their potential and contribute positively to their communities.

The Youth Justice Service models child-first principles, putting children at the heart of service provision, identifying/tackling the drivers for offending, recognising structural barriers and supporting children to develop pro-social, positive behaviours. We promote children’s individual strengths, building positive relationships and working in a constructive, future-focused way. We promote diversion from the formal justice system where possible, with the majority of the children working with our Service doing so through out of court disposals. Restorative justice is central to what we do. This means we give victims a voice in our decision making, encourage children to take responsibility for their behaviour and give them an opportunity to make amends.

Responsibilities:

• The primary focus is for the role to work within the YJS to engage children in the justice system to prevent re-offending and support them to reach their potential and contribute positively to their communities.

Person Specification:

• Social work experience and a good understanding of the social work role within a youth justice setting.
• Experience of working positively across a multi-agency team.
• A commitment to equalities and an understanding of the structural barriers faced by children in the justice system.
• Ability to engage children and families and to work in an inclusive, collaborative and trauma-informed way.
• Address safety concerns, both for the child’s own safety and wellbeing and that of others.
• Knowledge of youth justice practice including relevant legislation, government guidelines and best practice principles.
• Ability to use case management systems and procedures and to produce high quality analytical written assessments, plans and interventions.
• Commitment to restorative working, taking into account the views and interests of victims and issues of public safety and confidence.
• Experience and understanding of delivering services to those at risk of child exploitation, gang affiliation and criminal influences.
• Flexibility, positivity and an ability to work to deadlines.