Youth Offending Team Officer

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary:

• We are seeking an experienced Youth Justice Officer to work within a multi-agency Youth Offending Team.

• The post holder will be responsible for supervising young people subject to statutory court orders, delivering high-quality interventions, and promoting effective resettlement and rehabilitation.

• The successful candidate will have a strong background in youth justice or probation services, a sound understanding of the criminal justice system, and a passion for supporting vulnerable young people to reduce offending and achieve better life outcomes.

Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):

• Supervise statutory court orders (e.g., Referral Orders, Youth Rehabilitation Orders, Custodial Licences).

• Prepare court reports (e.g., Pre-Sentence Reports, Referral Order Reports) in line with national standards.

• Represent the service at youth and crown court hearings, including on weekends and bank holidays if required.

• Undertake assessments using ASSETPlus to analyse offending behaviour, risk, vulnerability, and protective factors.

• Develop and implement SMART intervention and risk management plans to prevent reoffending.

• Work with custodial establishments to prepare for resettlement and post-release support.

• Deliver direct work with children, young people, and their families, including lone working and home/community visits.

• Act as Appropriate Adult during Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) interviews where required.

• Liaise with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies to support holistic, wrap-around care.

• Support young people on bail to reduce the likelihood of remand into custody.

• Promote restorative justice approaches and facilitate victim engagement where appropriate.

• Maintain high-quality, evidence-based records using electronic case management systems.

• Contribute to quality assurance, data reporting, and performance monitoring processes.

• Support the supervision of students on placement within the team.

• Uphold safeguarding procedures and promote equality, inclusion, and best practice in all areas of work.

Skills/Experience:

• Essential: Professional qualification or significant experience in social work, probation, youth and community work, or other relevant discipline.

• Strong experience working with challenging or high-risk young people, particularly within the youth justice system.

• Solid understanding of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Children Act 2004, Youth Justice Board National Standards, and safeguarding legislation.

• Demonstrable ability to manage complex caseloads and deliver outcome-focused interventions.

• Competence in assessing and managing risk, vulnerability, and safeguarding concerns.

• Experience of working within statutory frameworks and multi-agency environments.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing for court.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build professional relationships with young people, families, and partner agencies.

• IT literate, with the ability to work with case management systems and digital tools (e.g., Careworks, Microsoft Teams).

• A flexible and resilient approach, able to work evenings/weekends where necessary.

• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across service delivery.

Additional Information:

• The closing date: 26/09/2025 @17:00.

• This is a full-time hybrid role requiring regular travel within the community to meet with young people, attend court, and support multi-agency interventions.

• Hours: 36 hours per week.