Youth Justice Court Practitioner

Job Information

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us

We are responsible for the entire range of children’s education, health and social care services in all three boroughs. We use a Signs of Safety practice model and approach which ensures the voice of the child is at the heart of everything we do. There’s never been a better time to join AfC, we are growing our workforce, implementing new flexible working arrangements and have increased our virtual wellbeing offer.

We take a child first, offender second approach and will always seek to work in partnership with children and families to build resilience and sustain positive change. Your Youth Justice experience will be essential to enable you to contribute to maintaining
our overall rating of ‘good’ by HMIP Inspectorate in September 2020 and to delivering the objectives of the Youth Justice Service which are to prevent and reduce offending by children and young people, working with high risk repeat offenders to prevent re-offending, promoting and maximising the welfare and the safeguarding of young people that have entered criminal youth justice system.

About the role

As part of this role you will manage a caseload of young people who have been either referred by the Police or ordered by the court, ensuring that a holistic assessment of need supports a robust intervention. The main duties of the role will include:

- Support children, young people and families with a range of needs and risks related primarily to offending behaviour, ensuring that any factors against desistance are addressed.
- You will attend all professionals meetings alongside the family and network and factors for desistance are fully promoted, particularly in regard to repairing harm, increasing social capital, education, emotional wellbeing and feeling safe.
- Attend Youth Court and act as Court officer, including occasional Court. This will include being part of a Saturday Court rota.
- Undertake timely, high quality, robust assessments (Asset Plus) and high quality intervention plans.
- Write clear and concise Court reports, bail and remand packages and Referral Order Panel reports and maintain accurate case file records, ensuring you adhere to all relevant legislation, guidance and deadlines.

About you
- Have knowledge of relevant Youth Justice and Social Care legislation to promote safeguarding and ensure that Youth Justice Practice and National Standards are adhered to (3 years minimum Youth Justice experience needed).
- Be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key themes relating to Youth Justice landscape, including best practice in regards to Desistance Theory, Good Lives Model, Trauma Informed Practice, Identity, Adolescent brain
- development and Transitions.
- Be resilient, an excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing, and able to work effectively both alone and as part of a team.
- Have experience in delivering effective interventions that serve to reduce risk, reduce likelihood of reoffending and maximise positive outcomes for young people.

About our benefits

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Stable and supportive leadership
- Hybrid and mobile working (between home and work) with latest technology to facilitate this
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Holiday package upto 34 days per year with option to purchase additional leave
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- A excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway

To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children

Important Information

**Right to work**: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.

**Safeguarding**: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via