Youth Justice Service Worker

The post holder will provide assessment, interventions and reports regarding mental and physical health, drug and substance misuse issues and contribute to programmes designed to reduce the risk of offending behaviour. Prison visits and working with young people in custodial establishments is an important part of the post. Close working links will be maintained with the wider SET CAMHS.

Clinical
:

1. To provide evidence based mental and physical health and risk assessments, drug and substance misuse assessments, interventions and reports, both independently and alongside other professionals within the Youth Offending Service locally and the multi-agency network.

2. Promote and assess the mental and physical health of young offenders and refer to relevant health services as required.

3. Contribute to programmes designed to reduce the risk of offending particularly where the primary factors pertain to mental health and substance misuse issues.

4. Develop community based group work programmes to work with young people within the youth crime system, including prison visits.

5. Provide support and advice to the families, parents and carers of young offenders in relation to their emotional and mental health.

6. Provide supervision and consultation to other professionals providing parenting programmes, support and advice to the families, parents and carers of young offenders.

7. Provide assessment, risk assessment and interventions to sex offenders and refer, as necessary, to other services and agencies in order to meet identified needs where assessment indicates more specialised interventions and treatment.

8. Provide assessment of physical health needs, provide some direct intervention e.g. programmes of immunisation and refer to primary healthcare where appropriate e.g. dentist, GP, school, nursing and further immunisation.

9. Manage a defined limited caseload.

10. Refer young people, as necessary, to other services and agencies in order to meet identified needs where assessment indicates more specialised interventions and treatment e.g. drug and substance misuse.

11. Participate in regular individual, clinical and management supervision.

12. Maintain accurate computer and paper-based records, prepare formal reports, letters, case summaries and collect such information as required by the Youth Offender Team Managers and the Trust.

13. Develop and maintain operational and liaison links to the wider SET CAMHS, adult mental health services and specialist drug and substance misuse teams.

14. To work closely with the YOT Drugs Worker on common cases.

15. To provide pre-sentence reports to Crown and Magistrates Court, appear in Court as witness and to advise the Court.

Teaching, Training, Consultation
:

16. Offer consultation and advice to professionals seeking to understand the mental health of the client group, including other mental health professionals.

17. To support the delivery of teaching packages on adolescent mental health issues to other professionals e.g. magistrates, counsellors, school nurses and CAMHS.

18. Support the development of evidence based practice by participating in or conducting research and audit.

19. Take students on placement, providing supervision and guidance where appropriate.

General

20. Contribute to the operational and strategic development of the Youth Offending Service.

21. Maintain professional competence/standards through participation in individual performance review, continuing professional development and professional forums.

22. Observe the requirements of relevant legislation, including the Crime and Disorder Act, 1998, the Children Act, 1989, the Mental Health Act, 1983 and the Data Protection Act 1998.

23. Comply with Trust and Youth…