Youth Justice OfficerCouncil
Post No. SSCF0093.1 - Youth Justice Officer
Newport Youth Justice Service
18.5 Hours Per Week
Fixed Term until 31 March 2027 (with the potential for extension subject to funding)
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Newport Youth Justice Service as a Youth Justice Officer. This post is funded until 31 March 2027 and is being offered on a fixed-term basis, with the potential for extension subject to the continuation of funding.
Newport Youth Justice Service is a dynamic multi-agency service committed to delivering a child-first approach, working with children and young people who are involved with, or at risk of entering, the youth justice system. The service is focused on prevention, safeguarding, reducing offending, and supporting children to achieve positive outcomes.
The primary focus of this role will be to work with children at the preventative and diversionary level of the service, supporting those who are vulnerable to entering the youth justice system and helping them achieve positive outcomes before offending becomes entrenched. This will include working with children subject to prevention programmes, diversionary interventions, and those identified as being at risk of exploitation, criminalisation, school exclusion, or other adverse outcomes.
Whilst the postholder's primary responsibility will be within the prevention and diversionary elements of the service, they may also be required to undertake Court and Out of Court Disposal work to support service delivery and meet operational demands.
As a Youth Justice Officer, you will manage a varied caseload of children and young people, undertaking assessments, coordinating intervention plans, delivering direct work, preparing reports for panels and courts, and working collaboratively with children, families, and partner agencies to reduce risk and improve outcomes.
About the Role
The successful candidate will:
• Manage a caseload of children and young people involved with, or at risk of entering, the youth justice system.
• Primarily deliver prevention and diversionary interventions to children identified as vulnerable to offending or exploitation.
• Undertake high-quality assessments and develop effective intervention plans.
• Work directly with children and families using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.
• Deliver interventions that promote positive behaviour, victim awareness, restorative approaches, emotional wellbeing and engagement in education, training and positive activities.
• Prepare assessments and reports for multi-agency panels, Out of Court Disposal meetings, and Court as required.
• Participate in Youth Court duties when required by the service.
• Work alongside partner agencies to ensure coordinated support and safeguarding plans are in place.
• Support children to achieve positive outcomes and reduce the likelihood of future offending.
About You
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and child-focused practitioner who:
• Qualified social worker or probation officer.
• Has experience of working with children and young people who present with complex needs and challenging behaviours.
• Understands youth justice legislation, safeguarding and child protection.
• Has experience of multi-agency working and effective partnership practice.
• Is able to complete high-quality assessments, reports and intervention planning.
• Understands the impact of trauma, adverse childhood experiences and exploitation on children's behaviour and development.
• Is committed to preventing children from entering the criminal justice system wherever possible.
• Shares our commitment to a child-first, strengths-based approach.
If you are passionate about helping children make positive changes, believe in the power of restorative justice, and have the creativity to develop impactful interventions, we would welcome your application.
Join Newport Youth Justice Service and help us build safer communities, repair harm and create better futures for children and young people.
This post provides a challenging and exciting opportunity for those who wish to be part of the continuing transformation of the Youth Justice Service in Newport.
You must be willing to work flexible hours as the team provides support when it is required to fulfil the objectives of intervention plans, even if this is outside traditional office hours. However, a wellbeing approach to working within your contractual hours is encouraged and monitored.
For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact:
Adam Savigar
Team Manager, Newport Youth Justice Service
Email: [email protected]
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
To find out more about the benefits of working for Newport City Council, please visit Benefits & Conditions.
We welcome applications for all our jobs in either Welsh or English. An application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Newport City Council is committed to working towards its workforce being more representative of the population that we serve and particularly welcomes applications from people from minority ethnic communities represented (or living) in the city. Selection will be made on ability and skills to undertake the role.
Newport City Council is not currently supporting applicants with sponsorship for right to work. In applying for a vacancy, applicants should already have the right to work in the UK.
Our values – Fairness for all, Making a difference, Being responsible, Working together
Ein gwerthoedd – Ein Gwerthoedd, Tegwch i Bawb, Gwneud Gwahaniaeth, Bod yn Gyfrifol, Gweithio gyda'n gilydd