Restorative Justice Practitioner

Portsmouth City Council; Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Portsmouth is seeking a Restorative Justice Practitioner to support youth justice services. The role involves coordinating restorative justice processes and working with volunteers to enhance community engagement. Ideal candidates will have an understanding of the Youth Justice System, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage risk. This position requires hybrid working arrangements with two office days per week.

Qualifications

• Understanding of the Youth Justice System and Restorative Justice.
• Excellent assessment skills to achieve best outcomes.
• Ability to manage risk and vulnerability effectively.

Responsibilities

• Administer and co-ordinate restorative justice processes.
• Deliver specialist Restorative Justice functions within the team.
• Support the recruitment and training of volunteers.

Skills

Understanding of the Youth Justice System

Assessment skills

Risk management

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Job description

The Service

Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, every local authority has to ensure youth justice services operate within their area. Portsmouth Youth Justice Service is situated in the Children, Families and Education Directorate of Portsmouth City Council. We are a multi-disciplinary, partnership organisation that works within Children and Families Services and the wider Youth Justice System to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people (10 – 17 years of age).

The Role

This well-resourced and innovative team requires an enthusiastic, creative and knowledgeable Restorative Justice Practitioner, who will enjoy the challenge of working in this important service.

Providing a key role for children who have offended and the individuals or organisations harmed by their offence(s), you will deliver specialist Restorative Justice functions within the team.

Reporting to a Youth Justice Service Team Leader and working with other Restorative Justice Practitioners in the Service, you will administer and co-ordinate restorative justice processes and activities including victim contact, reparation, mediation, restorative conferences and one to one support and/or intervention. You will ensure contact processes are completed in a timely way which is sensitive to needs and can inform effective intervention planning. In addition, you will co-ordinate the use of a variety of community venues and placements suitable for restorative justice, reparation and unpaid work, including those available at evenings and weekends.

Working alongside our Community Engagement Co-Ordinator, you will also support our work to recruit, select, train, and support YJS volunteers who contribute to our Restorative Justice delivery. You will take a pro-active approach to promote opportunities for volunteering with the YJS via advertisement across a range of media (in line with PCC policies and procedures) and at local venues and events and respond to enquiries from potential volunteers to ensure timely provision of further information, including application packs.

The ideal candidate

Will need to have/be:

• An understanding of the Youth Justice System, in particular the role of Restorative Justice in the delivery of youth justice work.
• Excellent knowledge and skills in the area of assessment and be competent in using these to ensure best outcomes for young people, victims and volunteers.
• A sound understanding on the nature and management of risk (of reoffending and harm) and vulnerability (safety and wellbeing).
• Able to work as part of a team to ensure a smooth delivery of the service, be flexible in being able to adapt to the changing needs of the team. Maintain a professional approach which encourages service user engagement.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, as you will be liaising with people from many different agencies as well as with young people, victims and volunteers. The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
• Calm and organised to enable you to meet the daily deadlines whilst working within this busy service. Self-motivated and able to use your own initiative whilst recognising policies and procedures in place. Have problem solving skills when dealing with the variety of challenges you will be facing daily. Demonstrate confidence in working within timescales set.

Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Hybrid working arrangements

Attendance requirements to the designated workplace will be 2 days required in the office.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion

If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please email:

Kim Helme - [e-mail]

Application process

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.

As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

About Portsmouth City Council

What we can offer you:

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact [e-mail]. or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800