Advanced Practitioner - Youth Justice Service

London Borough of Havering; Romford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

London Borough of Havering is seeking an experienced Advanced Practitioner to lead practice across our Youth Justice Service. You will provide professional leadership, mentor colleagues and support the management of complex, high‑risk cases to improve outcomes for children and families.

You will work alongside the Team Manager to deliver high‑quality assessments, risk management and safeguarding planning, while promoting trauma‑informed and restorative approaches with partners across police,

Qualifications

• Qualified professional in Youth Justice, Social Work, Probation, or a related field.
• Experience with children and young people who offend or are at risk.
• Strong understanding of Youth Justice legislation and safeguarding standards.
• Experience managing complex, high‑risk, multi‑agency cases.
• Excellent assessment, risk management and intervention planning skills.
• Experience coaching and developing colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert practice leadership and consultation across the Youth Justice Service.
• Support practitioners managing complex cases involving serious youth violence, exploitation, gangs, criminal behaviour, vulnerability and safeguarding concerns.
• Deliver and oversee statutory interventions within youth justice, criminal justice and social care frameworks.
• Ensure risk assessments, intervention plans and safeguarding plans are completed to a consistently high standard.
• Promote child‑first, trauma‑informed and restorative approaches to practice.
• Coach, mentor and develop practitioners to improve performance and outcomes.
• Contribute to quality assurance, auditing and service improvement activities.
• Support the Team Manager in delivering performance targets, national standards and Youth Justice Board requirements.
• Build effective relationships with police, probation, education, health, social care and community partners.
• Support the development of policies, procedures, practice guidance and workforce development initiatives.
• Champion the participation and voice of children, young people and victims throughout assessment, planning and intervention.

Skills

Communication

Analytical

Report writing

Education

Professional qualification in Youth Justice / Social Work

Job description

As an Advanced Practitioner, you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of a high-performing Youth Justice Service that safeguards children, young people, families and communities. You will:

• Provide expert practice leadership and consultation across the Youth Justice Service.
• Support practitioners managing complex cases involving serious youth violence, exploitation, gangs, criminal behaviour, vulnerability and safeguarding concerns.
• Deliver and oversee statutory interventions within youth justice, criminal justice and social care frameworks.
• Ensure risk assessments, intervention plans and safeguarding plans are completed to a consistently high standard.
• Promote child-first, trauma-informed and restorative approaches to practice.
• Coach, mentor and develop practitioners to improve performance and outcomes.
• Contribute to quality assurance, auditing and service improvement activities.
• Support the Team Manager in delivering performance targets, national standards and Youth Justice Board requirements.
• Build effective relationships with police, probation, education, health, social care and community partners.
• Support the development of policies, procedures, practice guidance and workforce development initiatives.
• Champion the participation and voice of children, young people and victims throughout assessment, planning and intervention.

Are you an experienced Youth Justice professional looking for an opportunity to lead practice, support colleagues and make a lasting difference to children and young people?

The London Borough of Havering is seeking an outstanding Advanced Practitioner to join our Youth Justice Service. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner who is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children, reducing offending, safeguarding vulnerable young people and strengthening families. Working alongside the Team Manager, you will play a key role in driving high-quality practice across the service, providing professional leadership, mentoring colleagues and supporting the management of complex and high-risk cases.

You will have:

• A recognised professional qualification relevant to Youth Justice, Social Work, Probation, Youth Work or a related field.
• Substantial experience working with children and young people who offend or are at risk of offending.
• Strong understanding of Youth Justice legislation, safeguarding frameworks and national standards.
• Experience of managing complex, high-risk and multi‑agency cases.
• Excellent assessment, risk management and intervention planning skills.
• Experience of supporting, coaching and developing colleagues.
• Strong partnership‑working and relationship‑building abilities.
• Excellent communication, analytical and report‑writing skills.
• A commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children, families and victims.

At Havering, we are committed to creating an environment where our staff can thrive and develop.

We offer:

• A supportive and collaborative management team.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Access to specialist training and development.
• Flexible working arrangements where service needs allow.
• Regular supervision and reflective practice support.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.

The opportunity to influence practice and improve outcomes for children and young people across the borough. Why Join Havering? Our Youth Justice Service is committed to delivering innovative, child-centred practice that helps children move away from offending and towards positive futures. This is an opportunity to join a service that values professional curiosity, restorative approaches and partnership working. If you are passionate about safeguarding children, supporting families and leading excellent practice, we would love to hear from you.