Suffolk Council are looking to recruit a Youth Justice Practitioner to join our team based in Riverside, Lowestoft. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £34,434 - £40,777 per annum, pro rata.
We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Youth Justice Service Practitioner, your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving.
Reimagine the possibilities
Your role and responsibilities
We’re looking for passionate professionals to join our team and make a real difference through youth rehabilitation. In this role, you will:
deliver innovative rehabilitation and intervention programs
support young people and their families to prevent youth offending and promote positive change
engage with victims of youth offences
provide court support services, including weekends and bank holidays (once trained and as required)
contribute to community safety initiatives
work as part of a close-knit, motivated, and supportive team
collaborate with specialist services and multi-agency networks
build strong connections with challenging young people
demonstrate resilience, flexibility, and a belief in the power of rehabilitation
apply strong assessment skills
commit to youth justice reform.
You will need
excellent information-gathering and analytical skills
a commitment to your own professional development
if you do not already hold the Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate (YJEPC) or the Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (including YJEPC Desistance Top-Up), you will be expected to work towards the YJEPC qualification as part of your employment. This qualification will be fully funded by Suffolk County Council.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The Team
The Suffolk Youth Justice Service (SYJS) works with children and young people who are in, or at risk of entering, the Youth Justice System.
We also support parents, carers, and victims of youth crime, operating as a multi-agency partnership hosted by Suffolk County Council.
Our core aim is to:
prevent offending by children and young people
protect the public from harm caused by youth offending
promote the safety, wellbeing, and future aspirations of the young people we work with.
SYJS operates 7 days a week, including evenings until 9pm, and conducts home visits to meet national standards and legislative requirements.
As part of the role, you will be expected to:
occasionally work evenings and weekends, for which you will be entitled to flexi time or Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
participate in a Saturday court rota, for which you will receive additional payment or TOIL, depending on your preference.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report
Closing date: 11.30pm, 24 November 2025
If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Youth Support Practitioners role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are also committed to flexible working