At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and ensure the safety of young people in a custodial setting while providing day-to-day care.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at HMP Werrington focused on youth justice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, and a Civil Service pension.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and help them reach their potential.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; strong communication and empathy are key.
The predicted salary is between 35875 - 38003 £ per year.
Job Overview
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Location: Werrington
Job ID: 18552
Starting salary: £35,875 per week (39‑hour week, 20% unsocial)
City/Town: Stoke-on-Trent
Region: West Midlands
Vacancy type: Merit
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available for this role, subject to eligibility and in accordance with the UK Immigration Rules in force at the time of application.
Your natural strengths are assessed to find out what motivates and energises you. We will also assess your numerical, written English and spoken English abilities.
Responsibilities
- In this role you will be responsible for ensuring the security and safety of children and young people while providing day‑to‑day support in a custodial setting.
- Show a passion for supporting children, young people and families.
- Identify and assess the complex needs of the children and young people you work with.
- Collaborate with young people, their families, or carers to agree on interventions or referrals that support their needs.
- Handle interventions when necessary, including de‑escalating situations, managing behavioural issues, and applying conflict resolution techniques.
- Approach your work with respectful curiosity, balancing challenge and support to help young people reach their potential and stay safe.
- Work closely with other professionals and organisations to collectively improve outcomes.
- Deal with the practical side of life for children in custody, such as interventions, overseeing safe movement around the site, and providing supervision to ensure safety.
- Exercise sound judgment, using evidence‑based approaches to inform your practice and continuously evaluate effectiveness.
- Participate in regular supervision with an experienced practitioner to reflect on and improve your practice.
Qualifications & Skills
- No formal qualifications are required to become a Youth Justice Worker; personal qualities are what matter most.
- You should demonstrate strong communication and influencing skills.
- Commitment to high standards of care and service.
- Empathy and understanding.
Additional requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment.
- Meet the Civil Service nationality requirements.
- Pass a medical and fitness assessment, including eyesight and hearing tests.
- Have hearing suitable for a safety‑critical role (without hearing aids).
- Tattoos must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable unless for cultural, religious, or medical reasons.
Nationality Requirements
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. This includes:
- Republic of Ireland nationals.
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
- EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein nationals and family members with valid settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020.
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Benefits and Pay
The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.
- 37 hours a week = £33,746 a year
- 39 hours a week = £35,875 a year
- 41 hours a week = £38,003 a year
All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances that are applicable to the role/location.
Additional benefits:
- 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service).
- Paid time off for public holidays and one extra privilege day.
- Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%.
- Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits.
Other Information
Travel to work: A driving licence and own transport is beneficial for some rural locations but is not an essential requirement. Please carefully consider the location of this vacancy and your transport options before applying.
Disclosure and Barring Security check (DBS) is required. English with confidence is required for all spoken aspects of the role.
202606: Youth Justice Worker - HMP Werrington employer: Ministry of Justice
As a Youth Justice Worker at HMP Werrington, you will join a dedicated team committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children and young people in a custodial setting. Our supportive work culture prioritises professional development, offering flexible working options and comprehensive training to help you grow in your role. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, we provide an environment where you can thrive while making a meaningful difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 202606: Youth Justice Worker - HMP Werrington
✨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 Ministry of Justice.
✨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 Ministry of Justice!
✨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 Ministry of Justice, 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 Ministry of Justice 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 202606: Youth Justice Worker - HMP Werrington
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 Ministry of Justice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ministry of Justice! 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 Ministry of Justice
✨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.
