Youth Justice Practitioner (Qualified) in Portsmouth

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Youth Justice Practitioner to join our supportive, multi‑agency team working with children aged 10–17 to prevent offending and reoffending.

Portsmouth Youth Justice Service is a multi‑disciplinary team that works both within Children’s Services and the Criminal Justice System. Our overriding aim is to prevent offending and reoffending by children (10‑17 years of age). We work with children who are subject to Out of Court Resolutions and Court Orders (including custodial sentences) and their families, and the victims of youth crime. We do this through a process of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, review and closure, using a restorative and inclusive approach throughout.

Our innovative team requires an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Qualified Youth Justice Practitioner, who would enjoy the challenge of working in this important service for Portsmouth’s children, to cover a fixed‑term position. You will be required to carry a complex caseload of children receiving support, supervision and intervention by the Youth Justice Service. You will be expected to liaise with colleagues both within and outside the Service in order to gather the relevant information to complete high quality assessments and deliver high quality interventions to reduce likelihood of reoffending and risk of serious harm to others, whilst supporting the child's safety and wellbeing. You will have overall responsibility for the co‑ordination of interventions of children on your caseload, and ensuring your work is delivered within a timely, evidence‑based and restorative approach.

Key Expectations

• Have a professional qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Social Work or equivalent in Probation, Education, Health etc) with current registration (where professional registration is required).
• Assessment & intervention skills to support young people, especially those at risk or vulnerable.
• Knowledge of Restorative Justice and a child‑centred approach.
• Ability to work confidently to deadlines, stay organised, and manage a busy caseload.
• Strong teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills, including working with multiple agencies and families.
• Being self‑motivated, using initiative, and solving problems effectively.
• Capacity to advocate for children and contribute to planning and reviewing interventions.
• Competence in IT systems (e.g. Microsoft Office and databases) for maintaining records.

Hybrid Working Arrangements

Attendance requirements to the designated workplace will be a minimum of 2 days.

Equal Opportunities

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under our corporate commitments and meet the minimum criteria. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.