Youth Justice Officer

Youth Justice Officer

Key responsibilities

The primary aim of the post is to reduce the risk of reoffending and harm presented by those children and young people subject to VOS interventions including statutory orders, DTOs and bail. Good outcomes for children / young people and the wider community will be supported by:

• Accurate and thorough assessment of risk and need by utilising YOS assessment tools supported by information derived from sources including the young person, family/carers, education providers, police and health and social care professionals.
• Building effective and supportive relationships with young people, their family/carers and partner agencies, to ensure that plans and interventions are coordinated, that they are innovative, creative and centred around the young person's needs and risks.
• Provide a joined-up response to manage risky behaviour, reducing reoffending and addressing welfare needs. Flexible and dynamic approaches are used to meet the complex needs of young people to enable them to understand and engage with the support plan.

1. To take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons in your care and those who you come into contact with.

2. Undertaking and co-ordinating assessments which accurately identify the risk of reoffending, harm, dangerousness and vulnerability of children and young people involved in the CJS by utilising assessment tools such as Child View/Asset Plus and CAF.

3. To work creatively in developing and delivering targeted interventions to address the needs of and underlying causes of children and young people offending. This will involve developing innovative and imaginative approaches to address offending. This could include one-to-one and group work programmes which evidence a creative and imaginative approach in addressing criminogenic needs.

4. To work in close partnership with both children and young people and their parents/carers to ensure that their views are reflected throughout the assessment process to inform decision making, and how we adapt our approach to working with them.

5. To engage children and young people with a range of complex needs and behaviours in a meaningful and creative way which promotes compliance with their Order and allows for the development of a trusting professional relationship that can support building on protective factors and strengths.

6. To effectively manage a pre court and statutory caseload and undertake direct work to reduce reoffending and ham1by reference to YOS assessment tools, producing a

targeted, 'SMART' intervention plans focused on the triggers to offending, strengthening factors for desistence and utilising the network to support delivery of the plan.

Criteria description

E1 A recognised qualification in social work, probation, teaching, youth and community, health or the PCEP. In exceptional circumstances candidates without these qualifications but can evidence the experience /skills below may be considered for posts PO1/P02.

E2 Direct experience of managing a diverse statutory caseload within the youth justice system

E3 Experience of assessing risk, analysing information from a range of sources and create plans to manage risk and safeguard children and young people and support them into education, employment, training and other positive activities

E4 Relevant and considerable experience in a VOS case management role including the management of high risk and complex cases, with a proven record of responding to and managing statutory orders in line with national standards

E5 To have a record of continued professional development, attendance at training, areas of expertise and leading in particular fields

E6 Experience of leading in particular areas relevant to youth offending, being an expert and imparting learning onto colleagues to develop staff knowledge and enhance best practice

E7 Experience of and a willingness to mentor and or support staff e.g. students, newly qualified colleagues

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