At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people at risk, delivering tailored interventions and empowering families.
- Company: Join Torbay Council's Youth Justice Service and make a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent position, and the chance to impact lives positively.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a change-maker for young people and help them avoid the criminal justice system.
- Qualifications: GCSE in English and experience working with children and families.
The predicted salary is between 31537 - 34434 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people? Torbay Council is seeking a committed and skilled Youth Justice Prevention Worker to join our Youth Justice Service. This is a rewarding opportunity to support children and young people aged 10+ who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system, helping them achieve positive change.
As a Youth Justice Prevention Worker, you will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed interventions to young people and their families. You will work with those at risk of offending, social exclusion, and criminal exploitation, providing both one-to-one and group-based support. Your work will focus on prevention, early intervention, and take a Child First approach to planning your work. You will manage a caseload, undertake assessments, and contribute to risk management planning, ensuring that young people receive tailored, evidence-based support. Working collaboratively with families, you will empower them to achieve sustainable positive change.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver targeted interventions to support young people at risk of entering the youth justice system.
- Work directly with families to strengthen relationships and reduce risks.
- Undertake assessments and contribute to safeguarding and risk management plans.
- Build strong relationships with partner agencies including Police, Social Care, Education, and Health services.
- Maintain accurate case records, prepare reports, and contribute to service data and performance monitoring.
- Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings.
This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
For an informal chat please contact Amanda Paterson on 07770 235364 or amanda.paterson@torbay.gov.uk. Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 6th July 2026. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
- Ability to carry out assessments, plan and deliver needs based interventions.
- Ability to produce and maintain accurate records and reports.
- Ability to produce and maintain accurate data recording.
- Experience in engaging positively with complex and resistant children, young people and their parents.
- Ability to offer appropriate support to families affected by:
- Family breakdown.
- Homelessness.
- Child Protection issues.
- Drug and/or alcohol dependency.
- Tenancy breakdown.
- Non school attendance.
- Criminal exploitation.
- Sexual exploitation.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge
- Understanding of the impact of adverse child trauma experiences.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, local and national policy.
- Knowledge of Child Protection and safeguarding procedures.
- Knowledge of issues facing families at risk of family breakdown.
- Previous work in a health or social care environment (paid or unpaid) with children and young people.
Experience & Qualifications
- GCSE pass in English at Grade C or above or equivalent.
- Evidence of consistent pattern of learning from education, training and experience.
Youth Justice Prevention Worker - 18.50 Hours employer: Torbay Council
Torbay Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the community, particularly in the lives of young people. With a strong focus on employee development and a supportive work culture, staff are encouraged to grow professionally while delivering meaningful interventions. Located in the beautiful Torbay area, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that values innovation and teamwork, making it an ideal place for those passionate about youth justice and social care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Prevention Worker - 18.50 Hours
✨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 Torbay 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 Torbay 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 Torbay 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 Torbay 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 Prevention Worker - 18.50 Hours
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 Torbay Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Torbay 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 Torbay 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.
