Social Worker - Youth Justice Service

Closing date: 22 February 2026

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 an outcome of good and now want to further develop our service offer to children at risk of offending. Our culture is enshrined 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. In this respect Youth Justice Panels are held fortnightly where the police refer cases for consideration of court of court disposals. From the panel various outcomes are considered.

This is a full-time post fixed term until 31.01.26 based within the Amber Valley, Bolsover and NE Derbyshire Area Team. The office base for the candidate can be either Ilkeston or Chesterfield.

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.

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.

• Provide a quality social work service that supports children to achieve their potential.
• The successful applicant will complete a full assessment of the young person's and family circumstances and then complete intervention with them to ensure they do not re-offend.
• Effectively manage a number of young people to achieve the best outcomes for them.
• Working in partnership with individuals build and sustain relationships, identify needs, and develop plans and responses that meet those needs.

• BA Honours in Social Work and current Social Work England registration (refer to job and person profile for more information).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a person-centred approach to building a 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.

We believe that hard work and commitment to your role should be rewarded, so we offer a package to our social workers that will ensure you always feel supported and valued:

• 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…