Youth Justice Officer

Description:

Youth Justice Officer
Southwark
£37/hr
Full time: 36/hrs a week
Start date: ASAP

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To work within a systemic framework to prevent offending by children and young people and protect the public from the harmful activities of young people who offend. To provide a comprehensive and effective integrated youth justice service to respond to the needs of young people and their families in a timely manner and within statutory and local guidelines. To work closely within a small team to assess, plan and deliver a wide range of targeted interventions to prevent offending, safeguard children and promote positive outcomes.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Work directly with young people and provide a clear and accurate assessment of a young person and his/her family's needs in line with youth justice and statutory guidance, undertake interviews, observations and gather information from young people, families and other agencies as directed by the Team Manager.

2. On the basis of assessed needs and risks, devise, implement and review intervention plans, to address risk of harm to others, risk of re-offending and safegaurding issues in line with Youth Justice National Standards, local procedures and Restorative
Justice principles.

3. Manage the caseload as directed and organise and plan work activities prioritising tasks and responsibilities.

4. Ensure that statutory responsibilities are undertaken for young people including, assessment meetings, home visits, arranging reviews, reporting to the court, delivering within timescales and meeting any other national and local
performance standards.

5. Provide written and verbal reports, which are concise, informative and based on analysis of complex evidence.

Knowledge, including educational qualifications:

Must be a HCPC (Health & Care Professions Council) registered Social Worker, or have a related professional qualification in youth justice, probation, youth work.
Must be able to provide evidence of continuing professional development
Knowledge of youth justice legislation, national standards, case management guidance (assessment, planning & intervention), restorative justice principles, relevant child care legislation, statutory guidance and the London Child Protection procedures
Knowledge and understanding of child development, parenting capacity, environmental factors and risk and protective factors for offending and desistance
Experience:

Experience of direct, complex social work with young people and their families within a youth justice context, in addition to formulating and implementing effective social work and youth justice plans and interventions.
Experience of statutory youth justice practice in preparing reports and presenting at Court or Referral Order Panels or other professional settings