At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children at risk by co-creating plans that focus on their potential and resilience.
- Company: Plymouth Youth Justice Service, dedicated to child-first principles and inclusion.
- Benefits: Supportive culture, manageable caseloads, flexible working arrangements, and continuous training.
- Other info: Join a stable team with strong leadership and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and influence positive change.
- Qualifications: Qualified Youth Justice Practitioner or Social Worker with 2+ years' experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our Vision At PYJS, we believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Guided by the Youth Justice Board’s Child First principles, we:
- Treat children as children.
- Build on pro-social identity.
- Collaborate with children.
- Divert from stigma.
About The Role As a Youth Justice Practitioner, you’ll work alongside a dedicated, trauma-informed, and multi-agency team to support children at risk of or involved in offending. You’ll co-create plans that focus on each child’s potential, resilience, and voice—helping them thrive and move forward positively.
What We’re Looking For:
- A qualified Youth Justice Practitioner or a qualified Social Worker with at least 2 years’ post-qualifying experience working with children.
- A values-led practitioner who champions inclusion, participation, and restorative approaches.
- A reflective professional committed to continuous learning and collaborative working.
What We Offer:
- The Plymouth Youth Justice Service has a supportive culture, stable team and low vacancy rates, with strong leadership.
- We have manageable caseloads that allow for meaningful, child-centered work.
- Regular supervisions take place as well as a training plan, including trauma-informed and Child First practice.
- We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.
As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
Your Impact You will help shape a service where children’s voices influence everything—from individual plans to strategic decisions. You’ll be part of a team that listens, adapts, and acts on what children and families tell us.
The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is: Enhanced Check DBS Children’s Barred List & DBS Adult’s Barred List.
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
Plymouth City Council is proud to be an Age Friendly Employer. We encourage applications from talented people at every stage of their career.
Contact: Mark Anderson, Business Manager – mark.anderson@plymouth.gov.uk | 01752 306886 Or speak to: Caroline Dungate, Team Manager – caroline.dungate@plymouth.gov.uk | 01752 312527
Closing Date: Tuesday 4 August. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and Social Work England registration.
Youth Justice Practitioner in Plymouth employer: PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Plymouth City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for professionals in child protection. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and training programmes that empower our staff to excel in their roles. Working in Plymouth not only provides the chance to make a meaningful impact on the community but also allows you to be part of a forward-thinking team that values restorative practices and innovative strategies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Practitioner in Plymouth
✨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 PLYMOUTH 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 PLYMOUTH 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 PLYMOUTH 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 PLYMOUTH 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 Practitioner in Plymouth
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 PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to PLYMOUTH 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 PLYMOUTH 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.
