Youth Justice Officer

Overview

I am currently representing Luton Borough Council are offering a initial temporary contract for a period of 3-6 months with a view to be extended or offered a permanent position for the right candidate at a rate which is negotiable dependent upon experience.

We are looking for Youth Justice Officerat Town Hall, George St., Luton LU1 2BQ

• Undertake assessments, develop, coordinate, implement, monitor and review intervention plans with children and young people subject to early intervention, prevention and youth justice services and their families (including challenging and complex cases).
• To work in a variety of settings and in partnership with various statutory and voluntary agencies within agency policy, the requirements of the Youth Justice Board/Ministry of Justice and in accordance with effective practice guidelines, Practice Standards and other statutory obligations in order to reduce the risk of offending, re‑offending and/or harm to themselves or to the public.
• Ensure clear structured exit strategies are in place for all cases on closure to the Service.
• Keep appropriate case records including electronic records, statistics and other information meeting the requirements of the service, its partner agencies and in accordance with effective practice guidance, Practice Standards and the requirements of the Youth Justice Board/Ministry of Justice.
• Act as duty officer within the service, evaluate and respond to new referrals, take appropriate action and give appropriate advice, information and assistance including undertaking the role of Appropriate Adult as defined in and in accordance with the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and triage service.
• Act as court and bail duty officer, in accordance with departmental policy and Practice Standards, in the Youth Court including providing information to the Court, the Crown Prosecution Service, defence solicitors and other court users, prosecute breaches of court orders and also represent the service in court on Saturday and Bank Holiday courts.
• Represent the service at meetings with partner agencies, with other local statutory and voluntary organisations and within the local community in order to meet the statutory and non‑statutory requirements of the service to work with children and young people to keep them safe from exploitation, stop entering the criminal justice system for the first time, reduce anti‑social behaviour and re‑offending, reduce the use of custody and care, protect the public from harm and significantly improve their outcomes and opportunities.
• Attend and participate in meetings, training courses and employee development activities as the service requires and/or keep up to date with legislative changes and requirements of the Youth Justice Board/Ministry of Justice.
• Car driver to enable regular and frequent visits both within and outside the Borough and provide transport for children, young people, parents etc. Able to work outside normal office hours including evenings and occasional Saturday and Bank Holiday court cover.

• Demonstrable experience, paid or voluntary working with adolescents.
• Some experience of work with young offenders in a related setting: e.g.: YOI's, STC's, probation, youth justice, social services children's services.
• Able to communicate effectively (English - verbally and written) and to create and maintain positive working relationships with children, young people, parents and a wide range of other professionals and agencies.
• Able to use own initiative and to work to targets and prioritise workload to strict deadlines.
• Able to assess, support and motivate young people including where levels of vulnerability and risk to themselves and to the public are medium to high.
• Able to work with the agency's IT equipment for the purpose of case recording.
• Able to make professional judgements in a multi-disciplinary criminal justice setting and to n.
• Able to demonstrate an understanding and the effects of discrimination on service delivery and in the work setting and possess a commitment to the achievement of equality.
• Some knowledge of current legislation and issues relating to children, young people & families including children/young people who offend eg:
  Children Act, various criminal justice legislation & issues.
• A relevant professional or degree level qualification (NVQ
  4) associated with one of the partner agencies (A minimum of 2/8 posts in the service must have a recognised social work qualification) (NB: registered with the General Council of Social Work or UK equivalent if holding a social work qualification).
• Car driver to enable regular and frequent visits both within and outside the Borough and provide transport for children, young people, parents etc. Able to work outside normal office hours including evenings and occasional Saturday and Bank Holiday court cover.