Youth Justice Practitioner

Social Care Today; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is recruiting a Youth Justice Practitioner to help reduce offending by young people, working with families, schools and key agencies to address factors that lead to offending. You will bring experience with young people with complex needs and knowledge of relevant legislation.

The role requires mobility across Essex, driving license, and commitment to safeguarding. The post offers a permanent, full-time contract in a vibrant, public-service environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified and registered Social Worker with SW England.
• Experience with children/young people in criminal justice.
• Excellent communication and IT skills; accurate recording on YJS.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing demands; commitment to professional development.

Responsibilities

• Reduce offending by young people; work with families, schools and agencies.
• Represent YJS at multiagency forums to secure better outcomes.
• Support individuals with complex needs within a criminal justice context.

Skills

Communication skills

IT literate

Initiative

Teamwork

Education

SW England registration

Probation Studies qualification

Tools

YJS case management

Job description

Permanent, Full Time

£38,487 to £51,834 Per Annum

Location: Epping

Working Style: Community-based worker

Closing Date: 28th September 2026

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. Our Youth Justice Team have been named Outstanding by HMIP so it's an exciting time to join.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families

Please take a look at our 'No Magic' Children & Families video

The Opportunity

Youth Justice Practitioners work to reduce offending by young people, working closely with family, schools and other relevant key agencies to address the factors leading to offending and representing the Youth Justice Service at relevant multiagency forums to secure better outcomes for young people. With experience of working with young people with complex needs and their families demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of all relevant legislation and a background in youth justice, social work or probation.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Either a qualified and registered Social Work England Social Worker or hold a professionally accredited qualification in Probation Studies.
• Experience of working with children / young people or young adults with complex needs in a criminal justice setting and an understanding of the issues that affect young people and children.
• Excellent communication skills and IT literate and ensure high-quality recording on YJS case management system.
• An ability to work on your own initiative and manage competing demands when under pressure and awareness of own strengths and area for development and a commitment to continuous professional development.
• Ability to challenge young people, their attitudes and behaviours, in an appropriate and positive manner and a commitment to working in partnership with young people, their parents/carers and others involved in the young person's life.
• Adept at working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and across organisational boundaries.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Company: Essex County Council

Salary: £38487.0000 - £51834.0000 per annum

Location: Epping, Essex

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care