Youth Justice Officer

Location: Walsall Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall, WS1 1TP

Working Arrangements: Office attendance on Mondays and Tuesdays, with home working available where appropriate, subject to visits and service commitments.

Driving Licence: Required.

Additional Duties: Court cover and Appropriate Adult duties on a rota basis.

Are you passionate about helping children make positive choices, build brighter futures and move away from offending? This is an opportunity to join a multi-agency Youth Justice Service committed to preventing and reducing offending through a child-centred, supportive and evidence-informed approach.

As a Youth Justice Officer
, you will work directly with children who have offended or are at risk of further offending, delivering assessments, planning interventions and coordinating support in line with relevant legislation and the service's Child First vision. You will work collaboratively with children, parents and carers, victims where appropriate, and partner agencies to address individual needs, promote accountability and support positive change.

Based at Walsall Civic Centre, this varied role combines direct work with children and families, multi-agency collaboration and statutory youth justice responsibilities. You will also contribute to court cover and Appropriate Adult duties on a rota basis. Experience completing ASSET+ assessments and PDAT is preferred, making this a valuable opportunity for someone looking to apply or develop their youth justice expertise in a service focused on better outcomes for children and the community.

• Assessment and planning: Undertake effective assessments of children's needs, circumstances, strengths and risks to inform proportionate, individualised intervention plans.
• Youth justice interventions: Deliver and coordinate services for children subject to out-of-court interventions and statutory court orders, ensuring interventions meet relevant legal and procedural requirements.
• Preventing and reducing offending: Support children to understand the impact of their behaviour, address factors associated with offending and develop positive alternatives that reduce the likelihood of further offending.
• Child First practice: Apply a child-centred approach that recognises each child's individual circumstances, encourages participation and promotes positive development and long-term outcomes.
• Multi-agency collaboration: Work with professionals across relevant services to provide coordinated support, share appropriate information and address the needs of children and their families.
• Family engagement: Work constructively with parents and carers, involving them appropriately in assessment, planning and interventions to support positive change.
• Victim-related responsibilities: Engage with victims where appropriate to the intervention and service requirements, ensuring their perspectives and needs are considered sensitively.
• Court cover: Undertake court cover duties on a rota basis, supporting the effective delivery of youth justice processes and meeting relevant service requirements.
• Appropriate Adult duties: Carry out Appropriate Adult responsibilities on a rota basis, in accordance with applicable procedures and legal requirements.
• Legislative compliance: Ensure assessment, planning and intervention activities comply with relevant youth justice legislation, statutory guidance, organisational policies and procedures.
• Recording and reporting: Maintain accurate and timely case records, assessments, intervention plans and reports to support effective decision-making, accountability and continuity of service.
• Monitoring progress: Review children's progress against agreed objectives, adapt interventions where necessary and contribute to decisions about ongoing support and risk management.
• Professional development: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of youth justice practice, legislation and relevant assessment tools, contributing to continuous improvement across the service.

• Experience working with children and young people in youth justice, youth offending, social care, safeguarding or a related service.
• Understanding of the factors that can contribute to offending and the importance of early intervention, positive engagement and tailored support.
• Ability to work with children who have diverse needs and…