At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people and families, delivering innovative rehabilitation programmes.
- Company: Suffolk County Council, dedicated to making a meaningful difference in communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career growth and diverse staff networks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on youth rehabilitation and community safety every day.
- Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and commitment to professional development.
The predicted salary is between 34434 - 40777 £ per year.
Suffolk County Council is focused on making a meaningful difference to communities across Suffolk. We are looking for passionate professionals to join our team and make a real difference through youth rehabilitation. In this role, you will:
- Deliver innovative rehabilitation and intervention programs
- Support young people and their families to prevent youth offending and promote positive change
- 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 professional curiosity, assessment and analytical skills
- Commit to youth justice reform
What you will need:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration
- Excellent information-gathering and analytical skills
- A commitment to your own professional development
- If you do not already hold the Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate (YJEPC) or the Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (including YJEPC Desistance Top-Up), you will be expected to work towards the YJEPC qualification as part of your employment. This qualification will be fully funded by Suffolk County Council.
- To hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.
The Suffolk Youth Justice Service (SYJS) works with children and young people who are in, or at risk of entering, the Youth Justice System. We also support parents, carers, and victims of youth crime, operating as a multi-agency partnership hosted by Suffolk County Council. Our core aim is to:
- Prevent offending by children and young people
- Protect the public from harm caused by youth offending
- Promote the safety, wellbeing, and future aspirations of the young people we work with.
SYJS operates 7 days a week, including evenings until 9pm, and conducts home visits to meet national standards and legislative requirements. As part of the role, you will be expected to:
- Occasionally work evenings and weekends, for which you will be entitled to flexi time or Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
- Participate in a Saturday rota, for which you will receive additional payment or TOIL, depending on your preference.
Additional Benefits include:
- Up to 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata for part time
- An uplift of 3 additional annual leave days, pro rata for part time
- 3 protected CPD days per annum
- Access to a relocation package of up to £8,000, a car leasing scheme and a welcome loan of £2,000 for all new social workers moving to Suffolk
- Free on-site car parking in all council buildings
- Flexible working options and our commitment to supporting health and wellbeing
- Detailed induction programme, including mandatory Signs of Safety training
- Staff networks which are open to staff, councillors and partners that share similar characteristics, life experiences, values and beliefs.
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
In return, you'll enjoy:
- 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
- A variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- Diverse and active staff networks
- Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Youth Justice Social Worker employer: Suffolk County Council
At Sendsory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our team of Cognition and Learning Practitioners. Located in Ipswich, Suffolk, we offer competitive salaries, six training days per year, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with SEND. Our commitment to professional development and a child-focused culture ensures that every employee can grow and thrive while contributing to a nurturing educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Social Worker
✨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 Social Worker
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.
