Senior social worker/practitioner youth justice services

The Role

This is a fixed term role for 12 months to cover maternity leave. You will operate as a senior lead professional qualified worker within Children’s Services, providing professional support and advice, continuous professional development to other team members. Promote excellence in case management and services delivered within the Youth Justice and Prevention service with a current focus in the Youth Justice team. Maintain a caseload of children. Manage and supervise statutory work and other staff, including their workload and professional development and practice. Develop and maintain effective arrangements, and advocate for the Service, across North Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and other partners. Represent the Service at multi‑agency meetings and in other circumstances as required. Offer support to the wider Youth Justice and Prevention Service as required including provision of supervision to staff working with children /parents/carers/victims. A key element of this role is supporting the Team Manager to manage the out of court panel, court meetings and develop rota’s for both duty and court officers. Senior Practitioners form part of the YJS Duty Management rota so the role does involve some occasional evening and weekend work.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role. This position is based across North Somerset with the YJPS Office based in Weston Super Mare.

Key Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload of children with more complex needs.
• Provide professional consultation, direction and support to team members on casework and be a role model for best practice.
• Support the team manager and colleagues to ensure legal and quality standards are maintained, including audits.
• Undertake supervision of others and support their professional development including developing competencies to improve performance.
• Undertake a specialist role withing the team and develop expertise in key areas, for example as an accredited practice educator, HSB work, lead professional link with partner agencies.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work‑life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in‑office days for collaboration.

About You

Candidates applying for this Senior Practitioner role will need to have strong experience of youth justice practice and be highly conversant in youth justice knowledge, practice frameworks, legislation and guidance. We are looking for a practitioner able to pick up a complex and varied caseload, attend Magistrates and Crown Courts, write both community and custody‑level Pre‑Sentence Reports and work with children on remand or sentenced in the secure estate. We are looking for a practitioner who has experience of leading on specific practice areas or projects and who is able to demonstrate positive role‑modelling and leadership skills for the wider team. Experience of supervising/mentoring other members of staff is desirable. Our Senior Practitioners will often be the ‘first port of call’ for the team and for partners and so we are looking for candidates who embody our Child First values, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, competence in dynamic problem‑solving, confidence in making defensible decisions, and self‑awareness in knowing what and when to escal for further support. We are looking for an individual who is passionate about supporting vulnerable children at risk of escalation within the criminal justice system and who possesses the following skills and experience.

Essential Criteria

• An approved professional qualification working with children and young people (e.g. social work, teaching, probation, youth and community work or health or similar) to a degree level or equivalent.
• Substantial relevant experience of working with vulnerable children with complex needs.
• The ability to manage and organise your own work and that of colleagues to meet agreed deadlines.
• An understanding of financial constraints and monitoring budgets.
• Skills to engage with children, carry out assessments and to develop intervention plans facilitate positive outcomes.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding protocols and the impact of crime, anti‑social behaviour on children and their families/carers.
• You are a reflective practitioner, confident working across agencies and as part of a team and have an innovative and enthusiastic approach.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience in line managing staff and or mentoring colleagues.
• Experience of leading on specific practice areas or projects and who is able to demonstrate positive role‑modelling and leadership skills for the wider team.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.