At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in the justice system to achieve positive outcomes and safer communities.
- Company: Join Manchester City Council and make a real difference in diverse communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 31 days of leave, volunteering days, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Empower youth and contribute to meaningful change in their lives.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping young people and experience in face-to-face interventions.
The predicted salary is between 28795 - 35193 £ per year.
About The Role
Working Hours: 35 Hours per week
Contract Type: Full time / Permanent
Working Style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office).
Closing Date: 11:59, 11 November 2026
Interview Method: In Person
Skilled Worker Sponsorship: You must already have a valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role.
As a Support Officer, you'll be working with children and young people who have come into contact with the youth justice system. You'll help to enable every child to live a safe, healthy, happy and successful life, ensuring improved outcomes. Your work will contribute to safer communities across the city.
In this role you will:
- Be focused, dynamic and passionate in order to help young people.
- Work as part of a multi‑agency team to deliver statutory services to the courts and community.
- Include assessment, planning and delivering interventions to young people aged 10 - 17 years who are subject to orders within the Criminal Justice System.
- Work with key partners to improve public protection, safeguard the needs of children and young people, and reduce youth offending.
Pre‑employment checks: If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre‑employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process and includes:
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - The post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Casual Car Documentation - The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation.
- Satisfactory references and other pre‑employment checks where applicable.
About the Candidate: Youth Justice is an exciting and innovative service that consists of a team of friendly, dedicated, caring and hard‑working professionals who work closely with courts, young people and their families. Youth Justice deliver excellent outcomes for young people who enter the Criminal Justice system and deliver effective planning for children and families to ensure positive outcomes for children in Manchester.
We’ll use the following essential criteria to decide which candidates to invite to assessment. Use your personal statement to provide evidence of how you meet each one, supported by relevant examples:
- Deliver high-quality face‑to‑face interventions with young people and their parents / carers.
- Supervise cases and manage risk in line with national standards and make appropriate referrals.
- Demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for all children.
In this role you will:
- Work directly with children and young people that have come into contact with the justice system.
- Risk assess and safeguard children and young people.
- Work with other agencies to empower young people to achieve their goals.
If you're invited to assessment, we'll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile.
Support and Adjustments: If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role.
About Us: Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You'll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.
Benefits we offer:
- Up to 26 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years' service.
- Buy up to two extra weeks' leave.
- Up to 3 days' volunteering leave.
- A 35‑hour work week for full‑time roles.
- We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions.
- A defined benefit pension scheme.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave.
- Employee discounts and perks.
Our commitment to inclusion: At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce.
Youth Justice Support Officer employer: Manchester City Council
At Crosslee Community Primary School, part of the CLIC Co-operative Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our collaborative culture, which encourages professional development and embraces diversity. Located in Greater Manchester, we offer a flexible working schedule that aligns with school hours, allowing for a balanced work-life experience while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Support Officer
✨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 Manchester City 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 Manchester City 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 Manchester City 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 Manchester City 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 Support Officer
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 Manchester City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Manchester City 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 Manchester City 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.
