Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship
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. Sponsorship is not guaranteed, and applicants are responsible for ensuring they have, and can maintain, the appropriate Right to Work in the UK for the duration of their employment. The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.
About the Youth Custody Service
The Youth Custody Service is transforming its workforce, and we invite you to be part of this journey. The youth justice worker role is similar to that of a prison officer but specifically focused on supporting children and young people in custody. This role is vital in reshaping how children and young people are cared for in custody. You will need a DBS check.
Key Skills
- Communicating and influencing
- Managing a quality service
- Making effective decisions
- Caring
Responsibilities
- Interventions when required
- Overseeing and facilitating safe movement around the site
- Providing supervision to ensure safety
Assessment Process
Online Tests: Once you have completed your initial application form, you will be invited to complete stage 1 of the online tests to assess your basic judgement and numerical skills expected of a prison officer. If successful, you will be invited to stage 2 (values‑based assessment).
Online Assessment Centre: On successful completion of the online test, you will be invited to an online assessment centre. Following the assessment centre, you will be invited to complete a medical and fitness test.
Read more about the application process.
Job Offers
This is a merit job vacancy. If you are successful at the online assessment centre, you will be added to a merit list based on your score. When all applicants have completed the assessment centre, the prison will make job offers to individuals with the highest scores first when positions become available. You can stay on the merit list for 12 months. After this, you will need to apply again.
Operational Support Grade Role
Following attendance at your OAC, if you are unsuccessful in your application to become a youth justice worker, we may instead offer you an alternative role as an operational support grade (OSG).
Qualifications and Requirements
- Meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements
- Pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process – this is a physically active job
- Meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (both with and without corrective lenses)
- For safety reasons, everyone training to be a youth justice worker needs a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
- Tattoos are permitted, including those that are visible, provided they are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable, except where this is for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
- DBS check is required.
Pay and Hours
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 (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
Benefits
Read more about youth justice worker benefits.
