Assistant Operations Manager

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Ipswich seeks an Assistant Operations Manager for their Youth Justice Service. The successful candidate will assist in operational delivery, supervising Case Managers to ensure high-quality services for children involved in the justice system. This engaging role includes fostering partnerships with various agencies and maintaining compliance with the Youth Justice Board's guidelines. Competitive salary and hybrid working offered, ideal for those passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children.

Benefits

Annual leave up to 29 days

Local Government Pension Scheme

Performance-related pay progression

Work/life balance initiatives

Qualifications

• Graduate-level qualification or equivalent experience required.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in management roles.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Operations Manager in a multi-agency team delivering services.
• Supervise the Youth Justice Service Case Managers.
• Manage partnerships with Early Help, Social Care, Police, and Courts.

Skills

Evidence-informed practice

Knowledge of the criminal justice system

Management experience

Education

Professional qualification at graduate level or equivalent experience

Job description

• Suffolk County Council


• Address: Constantine House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2DH. Hybrid working


• Salary: £40,777 - £47,054 per annum (pro rata for part time)


• Hours: 37 hours per week plus on-call rota hours outside of core hours


• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Assistant Operations Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special.

Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you are passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.

This work can be demanding at times, and it is also extremely rewarding. If you are passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children, this could be your perfect role.

In addition to your normal hours, there will be a requirement for you to participate in an Operational Managers on-call rota outside of core hours Monday to Friday and on Saturday duty/court rota, for which you will receive an additional payment, as set by the Service. You will normally be required to work one Saturday in every eight weeks. This schedule may vary depending on service demand and rota coverage requirements.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

Suffolk Youth Justice Service (SYJS) works to reduce the risk of offending, helping children to fulfil their potential and make Suffolk a safer place.

As the Assistant Operations Manager, you will:

• be responsible for assisting the Operations Manager in the operational delivery of a multi-agency team based in Ipswich, which offers a range of services to children, their caregivers and victims of youth crime. The aim of the youth justice system is to prevent offending


• operationally manage and supervise the Youth Justice Service Case Managers to ensure high quality services to children, focused on good outcomes within statutory guidelines


• work closely with partners (Early Help, Social Care, Police and the Courts) and have thorough knowledge and experience of the criminal justice system


• ensure all work is underpinned by the Youth Justice Boards Child First approach where children under 18 years old who commit an offence are treated as a child first and supported to build on their strengths


• be expected to work towards the Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate (YJEPC) unless you already hold it or an equivalent qualification. The YJEPC will be fully funded by Suffolk Youth Justice Service.

You will ensure the team:

• works in evidence informed way


• produces high quality assessments and reports that inform our plans and interventions


• keeps others safe (public protection)


• keeps children safe (safety and wellbeing and preventing further offending)


• supports children and families to solve complex problems and keep everybody safe.

What you will need

• A suitable professional qualification at graduate level or equivalent experience in a relevant area of work.


• Evidence of continuing professional development in a management role.

You can view a full list of requirements in Job and Person Profile (docx) . If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don't meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team:

• are a multi-agency partnership hosted by Suffolk County Council.


• work with children and young people who are in, or on the edge of the Youth Justice System.


• work with parents, carers and the victims of youth crime.


• aim to prevent offending by children and young people and protect the public from the harm caused by their offending. At the same time, working to ensure the safety and wellbeing of these children and young people and enhance their life aspirations and opportunities.


• are committed to the sometimes-challenging work we do.


• value professional development, and you will have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.


• have a good track record of supporting staff to progress both within the service and into other areas of Children and Young Peoples Services.


• work alongside colleagues from many different disciplines and have the opportunity to learn from their perspectives.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report (suffolk.gov.uk)

For more information

Please contact Emma Tongue (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach Emma Tongue by either calling 07732 603646 or emailing [e-mail]

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx)

Step 2 - Click Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template .

1. Child First is the evidence-base for working with children involved in the justice system. What would you be looking to see in an assessment that has utilised this framework?


2. What information would you need to see included in an assessment of a child to enable you to safeguard the child, victim and any potential future victims?


3. How do you support staff to balance public protection and safeguarding when managing complex cases?


4. What skills, knowledge and experience do you have that equip you to lead, manage and motivate staff within a fast-paced multi-agency environment?

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Please note:

Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: [e-mail] or calling 03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 7 January 2026.

Promoted as JOTW (Job of the Week) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days


• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)


• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits


• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase


• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge


• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation


• diverse and active staff networks


• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .