Assistant Youth Justice Service Practitioner (North Essex)

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 having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row. Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse.Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future. The Role: The Assistant Youth Justice Service (YJS) Practitioner works alongside young people and supports them, their families and victims, as part of a multi-agency YJS team to reduce re-offending/harm to the public. They contribute to the overall aim of the YJS, to reduce offending by young people, through working closely with family, schools and other relevant key agencies to address the factors leading to offending. Accountabilities:

• Undertake comprehensive and high-quality assessments of young people using Asset + and other approved YJS risk tools and case management of young people in accordance with National and Service standards.
• Produce effective intervention plans that evidence input from young people and parents/carers and utilise all YJS resources and work collaboratively with other partnership providers to access additional services to support the young person and prevent further offending.
• Build effective interagency networks, to have an understanding of voluntary and statutory agencies and have an awareness of opportunities within the local community.
• Responsible for holding a caseload of young people subject to statutory Court orders and Out of Court Disposal interventions. Undertaking direct work to address the criminogenic factors that underpin young people's offending behaviour.
• Prepare high quality reports for Court and Youth Offender Panels. Act as the YJS representative on the Youth Offender Panel, facilitate the Panel, ensuring good communication with other colleagues in the Service responsible for the effective delivery of Referral Orders and other interventions.
• Ensure risk and safeguarding processes in accordance with YJS policies and procedures.
• Consistent, accurate and timely record keeping, utilising the Youth Justice case management system (IYSS).
• Take part in the office duty rota as agreed. There is a requirement to be flexible in working outside office hours (e.g., evening home visits or emergencies) and weekends.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
  
  Qualified to NVQ Level 3 (A Level) or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Expert knowledge of the criminogenic factors that underpin young people's offending behaviour and development.
• Experience of working creatively with young people whilst taking into account their learning needs and stage of development
• Demonstrable experience of working directly with young people and skills to engage hard to reach young people and their families/carers.
• Excellent communication skills and IT literate to ensure high quality recording on YOS case management system
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.

Why Essex? As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you. Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community