Location: Walsall Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall, WS1 1TP
Working Arrangements: Office attendance on Mondays and Tuesdays, with home working available where appropriate, subject to visits and service commitments.
Driving Licence: Required.
Additional Duties: Court cover and Appropriate Adult duties on a rota basis.
About the Youth Justice Officer Role
Are you passionate about helping children make positive choices, build brighter futures and move away from offending? This is an opportunity to join a multi-agency Youth Justice Service committed to preventing and reducing offending through a child-centred, supportive and evidence-informed approach.
As a Youth Justice Officer, you will work directly with children who have offended or are at risk of further offending, delivering assessments, planning interventions and coordinating support in line with relevant legislation and the service's Child First vision. You will work collaboratively with children, parents and carers, victims where appropriate, and partner agencies to address individual needs, promote accountability and support positive change.
Based at Walsall Civic Centre, this varied role combines direct work with children and families, multi-agency collaboration and statutory youth justice responsibilities. You will also contribute to court cover and Appropriate Adult duties on a rota basis. Experience completing ASSET+ assessments and PDAT is preferred, making this a valuable opportunity for someone looking to apply or develop their youth justice expertise in a service focused on better outcomes for children and the community.
Responsibilities of the Youth Justice Officer
- Assessment and planning: Undertake effective assessments of children's needs, circumstances, strengths and risks to inform proportionate, individualised intervention plans.
- Youth justice interventions: Deliver and coordinate services for children subject to out-of-court interventions and statutory court orders, ensuring interventions meet relevant legal and procedural requirements.
- Preventing and reducing offending: Support children to understand the impact of their behaviour, address factors associated with offending and develop positive alternatives that reduce the likelihood of further offending.
- Child First practice: Apply a child-centred approach that recognises each child's individual circumstances, encourages participation and promotes positive development and long-term outcomes.
- Multi-agency collaboration: Work with professionals across relevant services to provide coordinated support, share appropriate information and address the needs of children and their families.
- Family engagement: Work constructively with parents and carers, involving them appropriately in assessment, planning and interventions to support positive change.
- Victim-related responsibilities: Engage with victims where appropriate to the intervention and service requirements, ensuring their perspectives and needs are considered sensitively.
- Court cover: Undertake court cover duties on a rota basis, supporting the effective delivery of youth justice processes and meeting relevant service requirements.
- Appropriate Adult duties: Carry out Appropriate Adult responsibilities on a rota basis, in accordance with applicable procedures and legal requirements.
- Legislative compliance: Ensure assessment, planning and intervention activities comply with relevant youth justice legislation, statutory guidance, organisational policies and procedures.
- Recording and reporting: Maintain accurate and timely case records, assessments, intervention plans and reports to support effective decision-making, accountability and continuity of service.
- Monitoring progress: Review children's progress against agreed objectives, adapt interventions where necessary and contribute to decisions about ongoing support and risk management.
- Professional development: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of youth justice practice, legislation and relevant assessment tools, contributing to continuous improvement across the service.
Skills and Background of the Youth Justice Officer
Youth justice and relevant experience for the Youth Justice Officer Role
- Experience working with children and young people in youth justice, youth offending, social care, safeguarding or a related service.
- Understanding of the factors that can contribute to offending and the importance of early intervention, positive engagement and tailored support.
- Ability to work with children who have diverse needs and circumstances, maintaining a balanced approach that promotes both accountability and positive development.
- Experience supporting children subject to statutory interventions or formal justice processes would be beneficial.
Assessment and intervention skills of the Youth Justice Officer
- Strong assessment and analytical skills, with the ability to gather information, identify relevant needs and risks, and develop appropriate intervention plans.
- Ability to engage children effectively, encourage participation and support them to work towards realistic, measurable goals.
- Confidence working with parents, carers and partner agencies to coordinate interventions and promote consistent support.
- Experience of completing ASSET+ assessments and PDAT is preferred.
Communication and partnership working of the Youth Justice Officer
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate case records and reports.
- Ability to build professional relationships with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies.
- Sound judgement when dealing with sensitive information, challenging situations and competing priorities.
- Commitment to appropriate information sharing, confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
Professional knowledge and approach of the Youth Justice Officer
- Understanding of the youth justice framework and relevant legislation, including the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, as applicable to the role.
- A commitment to the service's Child First approach and to improving outcomes for children and communities.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multi‑agency team.
- Flexibility to undertake court cover, Appropriate Adult duties and other service responsibilities on a rota basis.
- A proactive, organised and resilient approach, with the ability to manage a varied workload and meet deadlines.
Essential requirement for the Youth Justice Officer Role
- A valid driving licence is required for the role.
Working Arrangements for the Youth Justice Officer Role
The role is based at Walsall Civic Centre, with attendance in the office expected on Mondays and Tuesdays. Home working may be available where appropriate, subject to visits, court commitments and other operational requirements.
Make a Difference Through Youth Justice
As a Youth Justice Officer, you will help children access the guidance, interventions and opportunities they need to make positive changes. By combining effective assessment, collaborative working and a commitment to the Child First vision, you will contribute to reducing offending and supporting better outcomes for children, families and the wider community.
If you are committed to helping children move forward, can build effective professional relationships and bring strong assessment and intervention skills, this Youth Justice Officer role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to youth justice services.
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