Senior Practitioner - Youth Justice Service in Oldbury

Sandwell Children’s Trust is rated as a Good Provider. At Sandwell Children’s Trust we strive for excellence to improve the lives of children. Our ‘Sandwell Deal’ brings together our new improved offering that makes Sandwell Children’s Trust a great place to work; it also sets out our expectations of you as a member of staff.

What we can offer you:

• Generous annual leave of up to 31 days, plus 5 additional days for long service recognition.
• Your birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
• You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme with employer contributions of 21.6%.
• We recognise individual loyalty with service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwards.
• Flexible working patterns that suit you and all of our roles have well-defined career progression.
• We provide competitive expenses for both mileage (55p per mile) and subsistence, plus access to a comprehensive employee benefits scheme.

A vacancy has arisen for a Senior Practitioner within Sandwell working closely with staff and young people to support them in ensuring they are compliant with both court orders and out of court disposals to reduce the risk of offending. To work closely with children and young people to ensure they have access to the right services within our communities.

Safeguarding and Public Protection responsibilities are a fundamental part of this role and must be upheld in line with policies and procedures.

The post holders will be responsible for:

• Assisting the Team Manager/Deputy Service Manager in providing an effective service that meets the individual needs of young people and their families to reduce and prevent further offending.
• To take a senior role the first line management responsibility for designated areas of a multi-agency Youth Justice Service and other preventative strands.
• Adhere to the YJB Performance Management Framework including local and national standards.
• Managing a reduced caseload of children and young people with complex needs.
• Support staff to manage their caseload and ensure planning meetings and reviews are completed within required timescales and KPIs are met.
• To ensure the safeguarding of children and young people as well as the community is paramount, ensuring the effective management of Risk, Safety and Wellbeing Management Plans as well as chairing associated meetings.
• Promoting our links and use of specialist services and partners to support with the delivery of intervention plans.
• Ensure Information systems are kept up to date.
• To deliver direct work/creative interventions to young people on a 1:1 basis or in small groups if appropriate.
• Attend court and represent the Youth Justice Service if and when required (training will be provided).
• Maintaining the health and safety of employees.
• To actively promote Best value principles of continuous improvement and excellence in service provision.

You will need to have:

• National qualification (degree level) in Youth related subject/Social Work/Probation/Youth Justice.
• At least 24 months experience of working in a multi-agency Youth Offending Service working with young people and their parents.
• Experienced case holder/management.
• Experience of working as part of a multi-agency team preferably in Youth Justice or related setting.
• Experience of undertaking Court work and the Criminal Justice system.
• Experience of using any of the Youth Justice System’s/databases (preferably Childview) and basic computer skills.
• Understanding of the legal framework of Youth Justice including National Standards, Key Elements of Effective Practice, Scaled Approach and a Child First Approach.

Sandwell Children’s Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people.

If you require further information on the role or working for us please email recruitment_childrenstrust@sandwell.gov.uk and a member of our Recruitment Team will be happy to give you a call.