Restorative Practitoner

Restorative Practitoner

Permanent, Full Time

£24,395 to £31,131 per annum

Location: Colchester

Closing Date: Monday 28th October 2024 at 11.59pm

Interview date: 6th November 2024

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us. Not only have we been named Outstanding by Ofsted, we are delighted and at the same time humbled to have been crowned Social Work Employer of the Year for the second time in the last three years

What could be more rewarding than working with our young people delivering reparation in the community?

Essex Youth Offending Service works with young people aged 10-17 who have offended and are subject to both pre and post court disposals.

One of our current Reparation Supervisor's shares a typical day ……………………

"I arrive early at the Salvation Army, garden project, I pop into the centre and say hello to the elderly volunteers. I have a quick tea and a chat, some of them I have known for a number of years.

My young person arrives at the project, mum has given him a lift, I have a quick discussion with mum explaining what we were going to do today. She seems happy that he is engaging with me and helping in the garden.

I have a chat with the Young Person, finding out how they are, due to building a good relationship, we talk about any issues that they have offering advice and help.

We agree on the work that we will complete today, weeding and cutting back hedges. I always help and work along-side the Young Person.

Once the work has been completed, we tidy up. I show before and after photos of the garden work completed. He is pleased with what he has done, knowing the area is used by the community. The manager and volunteers always thank my Young Person for making the area look nice.

I can see the young person has enjoyed the session and is pleased to let his mum know what he has done, I show mum some of the photos so she can see the work that has been completed.

We end on positive note, and I agree to see him next week to continue the good work."

Having a positive impact on our Young People is priceless, this is what some of our Officers say

"The reason I like doing the role is having the ability/potential to help change someone's life. Seeing the result of a young person get a job or just stop getting into trouble is the buzz I get from playing a part in their development."

"Since the day I joined I feel that through management support and training opportunities I always get whatever support I need. I like the flexibility of the role whereby I can manage my own day and work around the young people and any personal commitments outside of work which is quite unique compared to most jobs."

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

• Evidence of a good standard of education at RQF Level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience.
• Ability to undertake manual work, organising and prioritising a busy workload.
• Evidence of the ability to engage young people in meaningful work and motivate them to work towards qualifications and awards where applicable.
• Evidence of accurate record keeping and competent in the use of IT Systems to ensure robust recording.

Desirable:

• A good understanding of Health and Safety principles and experience of undertaking risk assessments.
• Experience in direct work with children, with the ability to evidence positively promoting children's welfare and understanding of Child Protection procedures.
• Experience of acting as an advocate on behalf of the child within the extended family network and alongside colleagues within Social Care, with a readiness to challenge bureaucracy.
• Demonstrate an understanding of anti-discriminatory practice and is imaginative and flexible.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.