Youth Justice Officer

Manchester City Council; Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 31 days leave

Defined benefit pension

Volunteering leave

Job summary

Manchester City Council is seeking a Youth Justice Officer to improve outcomes for young people who have had contact with the justice system. You will work with the locality team to reduce offending and contribute to safer communities through protective and rehabilitative interventions.

You will supervise young people in custody or community settings, assess risks, develop plan-based support, and collaborate with police, social services and schools to provide holistic care that supports positive

Qualifications

• Valid right to work in the UK and able to pass DBS checks.
• Experience in youth justice or safeguarding of children and young people.
• Ability to work effectively with police, social services, schools and other agencies.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support young people in custody or community settings, promoting education and activities.
• Assess risks and needs, create intervention plans and monitor progress to reduce reoffending.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to provide holistic support for young people.

Skills

Building trust

Active listening

Professional judgement

Adaptability under pressure

Education

DipSW or Degree in Social Work

NVQ Level 4 in Community Justice

YJEPC certificate

PCEP certificate

Job description

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract Type: Full time / Temporary (12 Months)

Working style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office).

Closing date: 11.59, 09 November 2026

Interview Method: In Person (Face to Face)

Skilled Worker Sponsorship

You must already have a valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role.

As a Youth Justice Officer, you'll work to improve outcomes for young people who have had contact with the justice system.

You'll help the locality team to reduce offending, ensuring safer communities. Your work will contribute to the work of the partnership in achieving these outcomes.

In This Role You Will Be

• Supervising and supporting young people in custody or the community, helping them manage behaviour and engage in education, training, and activities.
• Assessing risks and needs, creating intervention plans, and monitoring progress to reduce reoffending.
• Working in partnership with police, social services, schools, and other agencies to provide holistic support.
• Providing guidance and mentoring, helping young people develop life skills and make positive choices.
• Ensuring safety and security in custodial settings, responding to complex or dynamic situations with patience and resilience.

Pre-employment Checks

If You Are Successful, Your Appointment Will Be Subject To Completing The Relevant Pre-employment Checks. These Checks Will Be Carried Out As Part Of Our Recruitment Process And May Include

• Qualification verification: DipSW, Degree in Social Work, Qualified Probation Officer PCEP (Professional Certificate in Effective Practice), NVQ Level 4 in Community Justice, YJEPC (Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate)
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Clearance - This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced DBS check as appropriate. Information provided by you or the DBS will be handled confidentially and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice. We have policies covering the secure handling of DBS information and the recruitment of ex-offenders, which are available on request. - If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years, or 12 months or more in the last 10 years (while aged 18 or over), please refer to GOV.UK guidance on obtaining overseas police checks or Certificates of Good Character.
• Casual Car Documentation- The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.

For more information on these checks, please visit checks page.

Our Youth Justice Officers are skilled and compassionate professionals who build positive relationships with children and young people, helping them recognise their strengths, address risks, and make constructive changes in their lives. They demonstrate strong communication, empathy, and resilience, alongside effective assessment and safeguarding practice. Working collaboratively with families, schools, and partner agencies, our Youth Justice Officers are committed to reducing offending, improving outcomes, and delivering child-centred, inclusive, and restorative interventions while maintaining high professional standards and accountability.

We’ll Use The Following Essential Criteria To Decide Which Candidates To Invite To Assessment

• Build trust, communicate clearly, and positively influence young people, families, and professionals.
• Develop strong professional relationships through empathy, active listening, and effective management of challenging situations.
• Analyse information, assess complex situations, and apply sound professional judgement.
• Remain adaptable under pressure while working effectively with diverse individuals and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.

If you’re invited to assessment, we’ll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile.

Use of AI

You may use AI to support your application, but all examples must be your own and based on real experience. Applications may be withdrawn if content is misleading or presents someone else's experience as your own. Internal candidates may also face disciplinary action.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

Applicants who meet the essential shortlisting criteria and are eligible under the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme will be progressed to the assessment stage.

Support and Adjustments

If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role. Find out more about our inclusion and wellbeing.

Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You’ll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.

Benefits we offer

• Up to 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years’ service
• Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave
• Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave
• A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
• We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
• A defined benefit pension scheme
• Enhanced parental and carers leave
• Employee discounts and perks

Learn more at Careers - Manchester City Council

Our commitment to inclusion

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce.

GM Elevate Programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.

Accessible Formats

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