Youth Offending Officer

Job Introduction

Are you a qualified Social Worker or probation officer looking for a new role? We're looking to recruit a Youth Offending Officer in Boston/South Holland.

About Us

Future4Me launched Countywide in February 2019 and brought together Lincolnshire County Council's core offer to children by building on the Youth Offending Team, Youth Hub and Early Help.

Focusing on supporting children aged 14-18, we have a dedicated hub comprising of staff with a focus on youth housing, diversion for youth justice, child exploitation, community interventions as well as our Psychology team. 

The hub works to support our frontline practitioners, based in the localities, delivering interventions and services to children and families. 

This represents an exciting opportunity to join a positive and high performing service committed to effectively managing children subject to Statutory Court Orders in both community and custodial settings, as well as through our diversionary work.

What you'll be doing

Joining us, you will be working in a challenging but supportive environment. You will manage and conduct a range of complex assessment and reports and contribute to the planning and reviewing of cases across a broad variety of practice, from diversionary work to statutory court orders in both community and custodial settings. From Youth Restorative Interventions to Detention and Training Orders, you will do it all - and of course we'll give you all the specialist training and development you need to do a fantastic job.

What we're looking for

The post holder must hold one of the following:

• A professional social work qualification e.g. Dip SW, CQSW and ensure that registration with the HCPC is maintained and renewed appropriately
• A Probation Officer qualification or current recognised equivalent
• A formal and relevant professional degree qualification

And 

• To have relevant experience of working with vulnerable young people in a professional capacity.
• To have detailed insight and working knowledge of the Criminal Justice system, a wide range of legislation, policies and procedures in order to effectively support and work with children in the Youth Justice System to achieve positive outcomes and reduce reoffending. 
• In addition, practitioners must have the ability and confidence to apply this working knowledge and specialist skills in the Courts and other settings in order to offer professional advice to the Courts and to liaise effectively with other court users and agency representatives.
• Ability to advocate, negotiate, and challenge on behalf of children and their families in a variety of settings e.g. in the court arena and when accessing resources.
• Confidence in communicating with children and adaptable interpersonal skills, patience and understanding compatible with the needs of all children in order that they and their families receive the right support, guidance and you reach them in a way which is effective for the individual.
• Ability to act as case manager with full responsibility for the day to day implementation and coordination of intervention plan delivery.
• In undertaking assessments and interventions, YOT staff are expected to draw on an in depth level of knowledge, experience and skills to ensure key judgements are made and responsibility taken for the safety of children and the general public.
• To be a key team player and work closely with staff members and specialist workers from other agencies, local authorities and organisations.
• Proficient information and IT skills to enable effective communication with internal and external agencies, production of reports for the courts and to maintain electronic case files using the Youth Offending Service management information system.
• The specific knowledge, skills and abilities required will vary depending on the needs of the role. 
• Specific posts may necessitate advanced specialist knowledge and skills. 
• Post holders should be comfortable working with ambiguity and uncertainty.

Our Offer

Along with a competitive salary we are offering:

• A Contributory pension
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
• Flexible working policies
• Career progression opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more

Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure

Interviews will be held on 7th May.

For an informal discussion about this vacancy please contact Sharon.bryan@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

Lincolnshire County Council 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.

A Smarter Working Employer

We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary.  Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.

Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.

Fluency Duty 

In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.