Social Worker (Youth Justice)
Employer: Derbyshire County Council
Closing date: 21 December 2025
Office base: Ilkeston office, Amber Valley, Bolsover and NE Derbyshire Area Team.
Derbyshire Youth Justice Service works with young people aged 10‑17 on both court orders and out‑of‑court disposals. We had an HMIP inspection in June 2022 with a good outcome and continue to develop our service to children at risk of offending. Our culture is embodied in our mission statement: “Child First in everything we say, do and write. We build on the strengths of children, families and communities to achieve their potential and in turn, protect the public and victims. We never give up on our children and young people”. Embedded within the team and service is a trauma‑informed, relationship‑based culture with high support, expectations and outcomes for our children. In relation to priorities for the service we work towards ensuring that young people are not criminalised unnecessarily.
About The Role
This is a full‑time fixed‑term post based within the Amber Valley, Bolsover and NE Derbyshire Area Team. The office base for the candidate will be our Ilkeston office. The successful candidate will be expected to work with minimal supervision and possess skills around engaging and motivating young people. Experience of working with young people is necessary including following intervention programmes. The successful candidate should also be able to demonstrate administration and IT skills and have a flexible approach to work. Good communication skills and the ability to work to deadlines are essential.
Development:
We support newly qualified social workers to progress in their career through supportive frameworks and excellent progression opportunities. We work hard to ensure that our social workers have the time and resources to deliver good outcomes for children and families. Our vision means working creatively to inspire and empower children, young people, and their families to be the best they can be.
What will you be doing?
* Provide a quality social work service that supports children to achieve their potential.
* Complete a full assessment of the young person’s and family circumstances and then deliver intervention to ensure they do not re‑offend.
* Effectively manage a number of young people to achieve the best outcomes for them.
* Work in partnership with individuals, build and sustain relationships, identify needs and develop plans and responses that meet those needs.
What skills and experience do you need?
* BA Honors in Social Work and current Social Work England registration.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a person‑centred approach to building rapport and relationships with children and families.
* Ability to reflect on own practice and development enabling flexible and thoughtful social work practice and positive change.
* Experience of relationship‑focused social work.
In line with our performance capability framework, systemic practice model and continued professional development, qualified registered social workers are eligible to progress from grade 9 to 11.
Benefits and Package
* Manageable case loads
* Diverse range of cases providing an exciting, challenging and rewarding career
* Effective leadership and management which helps to reduce risk for our social workers and the children and families they support
* Excellent supervision and a supportive peer network
* Accelerated pay progression opportunities for frontline social workers following their ASYE
* Access to an excellent range of training and development opportunities, worth over £5,000, including leadership and management development
* Fantastic opportunities to undertake further formal qualifications and career progression through our career pathways
* DBS check undertaken and paid for by us
* Social Work England registration fee reimbursed
Other Benefits
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* Generous annual leave and flexi‑time scheme
* Travel expenses
* Discount on leisure centre memberships
* Free car parking at most sites
* An in‑house counselling service
* Occupational health service
* Access to sessions with a trained physiotherapist
* Cycle to work scheme
Provisional interview date: 6 January 2025
For more information or to discuss informally, contact Team Manager Michelle Barr – michelle.barr@derbyshire.gov.uk.
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