Youth Justice Officer in England

Youth Justice Officer (Norfolk Youth Justice Service)

11533 | Permanent Contract & Secondment Opportunity / Temporary Contract until March 2028 | 37 hours per week | £41,177 to £43,149 per annum | Grade J | Countywide

• Manage children who present a medium or high risk in either the diversion or statutory part of the service.
• Develop, implement and adapt creative interventions that promote desistance to assist in the reduction of re-offending by children.
• Engage, assess, plan, deliver and review interventions to promote better outcomes for children, families, victims and the wider community whilst protecting the public and ensuring children are safeguarded.
• Work within a multi-agency framework and produce complex analytical written and verbal reports for a variety of formal settings.
• Liaise and commission universal and specialist services for children and their families.
• Maintain knowledge of current, relevant criminal legislation/theories relating to practice with children and work in accordance with local and national procedures alongside contributing to training delivery on practice change or service development.
• Be energetic, flexible and able to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Be able to work on your own initiative, make decisions and prioritise complex challenging situations.

NYJS focuses on children’s strengths and works collaboratively to motivate and help children to achieve positive change.

You should apply for this role if you

• are passionate about working with children in a co‑productive way, advocating for children’s rights and being part of an organisation that challenges inequality.
• always give maximum effort to understand and meet the needs of children.
• are creative and work with your initiative to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective.
• are open to feedback and learning because you want to develop.
• are well organised and can prioritise work that will have the greatest impact.

Our children say

• I want you to listen to me and hear what I’m saying
• Ask me about my views and opinions
• Don’t assume you know
• Be honest and try not to keep secrets
• Don’t make decisions about me, make decisions with me
• Take time to explain in a way I understand
• ‘Doing with’ gets me to my future

This post will have a nominal locality base but will be county wide and is currently a hybrid post.

Please note this post works with vulnerable children and families and as such will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

A full driving licence and access to vehicle is essential.

Children from specific ethnic backgrounds are more commonly involved in the youth justice system compared to their proportion in the general population.

This disparity is known as “disproportionality.” It’s an important issue that needs attention and that’s why we are especially keen to receive applications from black, dual heritage, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller, Asian and Eastern European communities.

The selection process will consist of a written screening prior to shortlisting.

Please let us know at the earliest opportunity if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the interview process.

Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specificationto help you demonstrate how you meet the criteria.

For an informal conversation about the role contact Stuart Perkins or Sarah Brighten on

Benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Health and Wellbeing services including fast‑track physiotherapy and a free counselling service
• Flexible working opportunities including flexi‑time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need.

• Financial benefits such as

• ‘ Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out.
• A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers
• Relocation expenses (where applicable)
• An advance of your expenses if you travel for work
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions.
• Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes
• Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra‑low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility)
• A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job

This role is not open to applicants who require UK visa sponsorship.

If it is determined that sponsorship is required, your application will be declined and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Already a Norfolk County Council employee?

See and apply for internal and external vacancies in my Oracle using your @norfolk. gov. uk or @nccal. ac. uk email.

We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position.

Redeployment closing date: 10 November 2026 at 23:55 All other applicants closing date: 18 November 2026 at 23:55