Youth Justice Practitioner – Foyle.

We have a fantastic opportunity for you to join our client, based in Foyle 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:

• To operate within the policies and guidelines of the YJA as directed by YJA Middle and Senior Management
• 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
• 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
• To provide high quality oral and written reports to expedite speedy justice with Courts and the Public Prosecution Service
• To maintain timely and accurate written and electronic records in accordance with YJA case recording policy
• To participate in and prepare reports for case conferences; reviews and any other meetings relevant to the young person
• To oversee, supervise and manage Court Orders, Public Prosecution Service Plans and voluntary (Earlier Stage Intervention) arrangements
• 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
• To deliver Community Resolution Notice programmes to young people referred directly by the Police Service for Northern Ireland
• 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
• 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
• To work in partnership with young people, families/carers, communities and professional bodies to support positive behaviour change and reduce offending
• To negotiate appropriate interventions with families to address assessed needs and support for the young person
• 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
• To source, risk assess and manage appropriate and meaningful Reparative Activity placements in order to deliver Service in the Community requirements
• To support young people subject to Enhanced Case management and offer high levels of meaningful contact & support
• 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
• To participate in training and support of volunteers, Social Work & Youth Work students and sessional workers
• 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
• To offer meaningful and realistic options for those delivering sentences
• To serve as an Officer of the Court
• 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
• 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
• To participate in supervision, team meetings, training and staff development programme
• To carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the post

Essential Criteria:

• Degree level in Social Work or Youth and Community Work required.
• Experience of working with young people and families is essential.

Desired Experience:

• Knowledge of working with young people in a justice context.

If interested please reach out to: Amy.Clarke@therecruitmentco.uk