At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people and families to prevent youth offending and promote positive change.
- Company: Suffolk County Council with a focus on community safety and rehabilitation.
- Benefits: Up to 29 days leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and engage with diverse communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and a commitment to professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 34434 - 40777 £ per year.
Suffolk County Council – Youth Justice Service Practitioner
Address: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU or InfoBar, Constantine House, Constantine Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DH – Hybrid
Salary: £34,434 – £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term or Secondment, expected to end 31 March 2029, subject to external funding from Ministry of Justice
Responsibilities
- Support young people and their families as part of the MoJ Turnaround programme to prevent youth offending and promote positive change
- Deliver innovative rehabilitation and intervention programmes
- Engage with victims of youth offences
- Provide court support services, including weekends and bank holidays, once trained and as required
- Contribute to community safety initiatives
- Work as part of a close-knit, motivated, and supportive team
- Collaborate with specialist services and multi-agency networks
- Build strong connections with challenging young people
- Demonstrate resilience, flexibility, and a belief in the power of rehabilitation
- Apply strong assessment skills
- Commit to youth justice reform
Qualifications
- Excellent information-gathering and analytical skills
- A commitment to your own professional development
Benefits
- Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- Performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- Variety of career development opportunities across the organisation
- Diverse and active staff networks
- Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Equal Opportunities
We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation.
Closing date: 5 July 2026 11:30 pm
Youth Justice Practitioner in Ipswich employer: Suffolk County Council
Suffolk County Council is an exceptional employer for Youth Justice Practitioners, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in the heart of Bury St Edmunds or Ipswich. With a strong commitment to employee development, generous leave entitlements, and flexible working options, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. The council's dedication to diversity and inclusion further enhances its reputation as a progressive workplace that values every individual's contribution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Practitioner in Ipswich
✨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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Ipswich
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 Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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.
