Interim Practice Manager - Youth Justice Service

Venn Group; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in South Gloucestershire is seeking an experienced Interim Practice Manager for their Youth Justice Service team. The successful candidate will drive improvements, provide leadership, and support practitioners in a child-centred environment. This role demands strong operational leadership experience and an understanding of youth justice systems and legislation. The position is offered on a hybrid basis, requiring office attendance three days a week, for an initial contract of 3 months, with applications requested as soon as possible.

Qualifications

• Strong operational leadership experience within a Youth Justice setting.
• Proven track record of supervising and managing youth justice staff to a high standard.
• Practical experience using youth justice case management systems such as Childview.

Responsibilities

• Provide additional management capacity for the Youth Justice Service's operational delivery.
• Deliver high-quality supervision and leadership to youth justice practitioners.
• Drive improvement work aligned to recommendations from the HMIP inspection.

Skills

Operational leadership experience

Supervision and management of youth justice staff

Experience with youth justice case management systems

Understanding of youth justice legislation

Education

Professional qualification in social work or probation

Relevant degree-level qualification

Tools

Childview

Job description

We are working with a South West based local authority who are seeking an Interim Practice Manager to join their Youth Justice Service team. You will be committed to child-centred practice and passionate about improving outcomes for children, victims, and the wider community.

Location: South Gloucestershire

Set-up: Hybrid working, 3 days per week in the office

Contract: 3 months initial contract

Start: ASAP

South Gloucestershire Youth Justice Service (SGYJS) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Interim Practice Managerto provide essential short‑term leadership capacity within our high‑performing, child‑centred Youth Justice Service.

SGYJS is firmly committed to a Child First approach—placing children at the heart of decision‑making and ensuring their active participation throughout their journey in the youth justice system. We have a strong track record of maintaining low rates of first‑time entrants, prioritising diversion and prevention, and delivering high‑quality, relationship‑based practice. The service was rated Outstanding by HMIP (2020)and has recently been inspected under the new framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide additional management capacity to support the day‑to‑day operational delivery of the Youth Justice Service
• Deliver high‑quality supervision and leadership to youth justice practitioners, ensuring consistent and effective work with children
• Drive improvement work aligned to recommendations from the recent HMIP inspection, contributing to the delivery of the service’s action plan
• Strengthen and develop the service’s approach to victim work, ensuring personalised, responsive, and trauma‑informed engagement
• Support ongoing development of participation practice, building on areas identified as good practice in the recent inspection

Essential Experience & Skills

• Strong operational leadership experience within a Youth Justice setting
• Proven track record of supervising and managing youth justice staff to a high standard
• Practical experience using youth justice case management systems such as Childview
• In‑depth understanding of youth justice legislation, practice models, and outcome‑focused service delivery

Qualifications

• A professional qualification in social work or probation is highly desirable
• Alternatively, extensive management experience in Youth Justice and a relevant degree‑level qualificationwill be considered

If you are interested in this role, please apply online or send through an up‑to‑date CV to [e-mail], then a member of the team will call you to discuss further. At Venn Group, we endeavour to respond to all applications. Due to the volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within 48 hours, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.