Youth Justice Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Lowestoft; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Youth Justice Service Practitioner to support youth rehabilitation and prevent offending through community programs. This part-time position involves direct engagement with young people, families, and victims of crime. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills and a commitment to professional growth. The role holds various flexible working options and offers comprehensive benefits including annual leave and a competitive pension scheme.

Benefits

Annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Commitment to professional development.
• Skills in working with young people and families.
• Willingness to work towards YJEPC qualification if not currently held.

Responsibilities

• Deliver innovative rehabilitation and intervention programs.
• Support young people and families to prevent youth offending.
• Engage with victims of youth offences.

Skills

Information-gathering skills

Analytical skills

Ability to engage with young people

Education

Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate (YJEPC)

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Riverside, Lowestoft NR32 1HH - Hybrid
• Salary: £34,434 - £40,777 per annum pro rata
• Hours: 22.2 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We're passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a Youth Justice Service Practitioner, your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving.

Reimagine the possibilities

Your role and

We're looking for passionate professionals to join our team and make a real difference through youth rehabilitation. In this role, you will:

• deliver innovative rehabilitation and intervention programs
• support young people and their families to prevent youth offending and promote positive change
• engage with victims of youth offences
• provide court support services, including weekends and bank holidays (once trained and as required)
• contribute to community safety initiatives
• work as part of a close-knit, motivated, and supportive team
• collaborate with specialist services and multi‑agency networks
• build strong connections with challenging young people
• demonstrate resilience, flexibility, and a belief in the power of rehabilitation
• apply strong assessment skills
• commit to youth justice reform

You will need

• excellent information-gathering and analytical skills
• a commitment to your own professional development
• if you do not already hold the Youth Justice Effective Practice Certificate (YJEPC) or the Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (including YJEPC Desistance Top‑Up), you will be expected to work towards the YJEPC qualification as part of your employment. This qualification will be fully funded by Suffolk County Council.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (word).

The Team

The Suffolk Youth Justice Service (SYJS) works with children and young people who are in, or at risk of entering, the Youth Justice System.

We also support parents, carers, and victims of youth crime, operating as a multi‑agency partnership hosted by Suffolk County Council.

Our core aim is to:

• Prevent offending by children and young people.
• Protect the public from harm caused by youth offending.
• Promote the safety, wellbeing, and future aspirations of the young people we work with.

SYJS operates 7 days a week, including evenings until 9pm, and conducts home visits to meet national standards and legislative requirements.

As part of the role, you will be expected to:

• Occasionally work evenings and weekends, for which you will be entitled to flexi time or Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
• Participate in a Saturday court rota, for which you will receive additional payment or TOIL, depending on your preference.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're 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.

For more information

Please contact Catherine Bennett (she/her) by calling 07753 310241 or email [e-mail].

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (word).

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. How would you put this into your practice?
2. Describe your approach to conducting an assessment with a child and family? How do you ensure your assessments are holistic and evidence based?
3. How do you balance public protection and safeguarding?
4. What skills, knowledge and values would you bring to this role?

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: 11.30pm, 24 November 2025

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 checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

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).