202512: Youth Justice Worker - HMP Wetherby

HM Prison and Probation Service; Linton; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Youth Justice Worker to support children and young people in custody. This role involves ensuring security and safety while providing daily support. Candidates must possess strong communication skills, empathy for diverse backgrounds, and the ability to manage complex needs. The position provides comprehensive training and offers a competitive salary, along with a range of benefits including holiday leave and a Civil Service pension.

Benefits

25 days annual holiday (increases to 30 days after 10 years)

Paid time off for public holidays

Civil Service pension (up to 20% of salary)

Cycle-to-work scheme and travel loans

Qualifications

• Minimum 18 years old at commencement of employment.
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment, including eyesight and hearing checks.
• Provide a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.
• Good written and spoken English; Welsh may be required in Wales.
• Right to live and work in the UK and the Civil Service.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the security and safety of children and young people in custody.
• Provide day-to-day support, including supervising and facilitating safe movement.
• Work with young people from challenging backgrounds.
• De-escalate situations and manage behavioral issues.
• Collaborate with families or carers on interventions.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of actions in practice.

Skills

Strong communication and influencing skills

Commitment to high standards of care and service

Effective decision-making abilities

Empathy and understanding for diverse young people

Ability to assess and respond to complex needs

Good numerical, written and spoken English skills

Job description

Immigration and Right to Work

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas under current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department will not sponsor unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the changes. If you have held it continuously, raise this during your vetting checks. Successful applicants must have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

Overview

The Youth Custody Service is transforming its workforce and invites you to be part of this journey. As a Youth Justice Worker you will support children and young people in custody, ensuring security and safety while delivering daily support in a custodial setting. You will receive comprehensive training to understand diverse backgrounds and provide interventions that help young people build better futures.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the security and safety of children and young people in custody.
• Provide day‑to‑day support, including supervising, facilitating safe movement around the site and delivering interventions when required.
• Work with young people who may have committed serious offences, come from challenging backgrounds, and/or have mental health needs.
• De‑escalate situations, manage behavioural issues, and apply conflict resolution techniques.
• Collaborate with families or carers to agree on interventions or referrals that support their needs.
• Approach your work with respectful curiosity and balance challenge with support to help young people reach their potential and stay safe.
• Work closely with other professionals and organisations to collectively improve outcomes for young people.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of your actions and methods and reflect with experienced supervisors to improve practice.
• Maintain a high standard of care and service, demonstrating empathy, understanding, effective decision‑making and communication skills.

Key Skills & Qualities

• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Commitment to high standards of care and service.
• Effective decision‑making abilities.
• Empathy and understanding for diverse young people.
• Ability to assess and respond to complex needs.
• Good numerical, written and spoken English skills.

Eligibility & Requirements

• Minimum 18 years old at commencement of employment.
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements (see links for details).
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment, including eyesight and hearing checks.
• Provide a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check.
• Good written and spoken English; Welsh may be required in Wales.
• Right to live and work in the UK and the Civil Service.

Application and Assessment Process

1. Complete the initial application form.

2. Online tests:

• Stage 1 – basic judgement, numerical skills and written assessment.
• Stage 2 – task‑based assessment.

3. Online Assessment Centre (OAC) – a virtual assessment that evaluates behaviours, strengths, and suitability for the role.

4. If successful, you may be added to a merit list for 12 months. Opportunities are offered in order of score. Short‑listing for other prisons is also valid up to 12 months after the assessment.

Medical & Fitness

Following selection a full medical and fitness test will be conducted, covering eyesight, hearing, and basic health screening including blood pressure.

Training and Career Progression

• 12‑month probationary period with full training (37 hours a week during training). • After probation you can undertake a Level 4 qualification in working with children and young people in custody. • Successful completion opens the pathway to a Band 4 Youth Justice Worker Specialist role. • Ongoing specialist training in child protection, safeguarding and other relevant skills will be provided.

Pay and Benefits

Pay scales (annual salary based on weekly hours):

• 37 hours a week – £33,746
• 39 hours a week – £35,875
• 41 hours a week – £38,003

Benefits include:

• 25 days annual holiday (raises to 30 days after 10 years)
• Paid time off for public holidays and one extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension (up to 20% of salary)
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, travel loans and other benefits.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a disability confident employer and will provide reasonable adjustment support throughout the recruitment process.

Recruitment Principles

Recruitment is by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, in line with the Civil Service Commission’s principles. If you feel the recruitment process has breached these principles, you may raise a formal complaint in the following order:

• Shared Services Connected Ltd – 0845 241 5358 (Mon‑Fri 8 am–6 pm) or email Moj‑recruitment‑vetting‑[e-mail].
• Ministry of Justice Resourcing.
• The Civil Service Commission.

The link for further information: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ