We have a fantastic opportunity for you to join our client, based in Newtownards as a full-time Youth Justice Practitioner. This is a long-term temporary opportunity.
Our client is Northern Ireland’s Leading Public Sector Employer.
Pay Rate: £17.43 per hour
Start Date: As soon as possible
Hours: 9am – 5pm with requirement to work flexible hours (evening and weekend work) to meet the needs of children and families.
Summary of Job Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To operate within the policies and guidelines of the YJA as directed by YJA Middle and Senior Management
2. To support and challenge young people (10-17) in (or on the fringes of) the Criminal Justice System to desist from offending and to improve their life chances
3. To undertake a range of assessments including the Youth Justice Agency Needs Assessment & others to inform the development of holistic and tailor-made intervention plans. Said plans will address assessed need, risk and vulnerability as they impact on offending
4. To provide high quality oral and written reports to expedite speedy justice with Courts and the Public Prosecution Service
5. To maintain timely and accurate written and electronic records in accordance with YJA case recording policy
6. To participate in and prepare reports for case conferences; reviews and any other meetings relevant to the young person
7. To oversee, supervise and manage Court Orders, Public Prosecution Service Plans and voluntary (Earlier Stage Intervention) arrangements
8. To deliver effective Social Work & Youth Work services to young people across the continuum of Earlier Stage Intervention through to supervision on release from custody
9. To deliver Community Resolution Notice programmes to young people referred directly by the Police Service for Northern Ireland
10. To work closely with victims in ensuring their views are heard and that they are fully engaged with the process if they wish to be
11. To ensure all intervention plans with young people are informed by both appropriate assessment(s) and to ensure said interventions are premised on planning, reviewing and evaluation of progress on a regular basis
12. To work in partnership with young people, families/carers, communities and professional bodies to support positive behaviour change and reduce offending
13. To negotiate appropriate interventions with families to address assessed needs and support for the young person
14. To establish multi-agency and community networks and support in order to deliver interventions in partnership and to ensure the reintegration of young people in the criminal justice system
15. To source, risk assess and manage appropriate and meaningful Reparative Activity placements in order to deliver Service in the Community requirements
16. To support young people subject to Enhanced Case management and offer high levels of meaningful contact & support
17. To facilitate Youth Engagement Clinics (in partnership with the Police Service for Northern Ireland and the Public Prosecution Service) to ensure that suitable young people are exited from the Criminal Justice System at the earliest opportunity and/or are fully cognisant of the range of appropriate diversionary disposals
18. To participate in training and support of volunteers, Social Work & Youth Work students and sessional workers
19. To promote and deliver a range of restorative approaches (outside the Youth Conference) in order to support young people and to take into account the views of victims
20. To offer meaningful and realistic options for those delivering sentences
21. To serve as an Officer of the Court
22. To attend Court and provide assessments for young people subject to Bail Support and Supervision (BSS) and to be responsible for the case management of Bail Packages
23. To support young people leaving custody (the community supervision element of the Juvenile Justice Centre Order). To work closely with colleagues in the Juvenile Justice Centre and other agencies to provide a seamless end to end service to young people in custody and to contribute to release planning
24. To participate in supervision, team meetings, training and staff development programme
25. To carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the post
Essential Criteria:
26. Degree level in Social Work or Youth and Community Work required.
27. Experience of working with young people and families is essential.
Desired Experience:
28. Knowledge of working with young people in a justice context.
If interested please reach out to: kerri.kyle@therecruitmentco.uk