Youth Justice Professional Practitioner - Bridgwater

Somerset Council; Glastonbury; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Flexible/hybrid working

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteering opportunities

Core hours Mon-Fri; Saturday court rot

Hybrid model

Travel around Somerset

Job summary

Somerset Youth Justice Team in Bridgwater is seeking a Youth Justice Professional Practitioner to cover the West of the county. The role focuses on assessment, case oversight, and targeted interventions for children and young people aged 10-18 who have been arrested.

Permanent, full-time position based in Bridgwater with hybrid working options. Join a multi-disciplinary team committed to reducing youth offending, with opportunities to contribute to service development and professional practice.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of working with children and young people, including those with risk or complex needs.
• Strong assessment and analytical skills to evaluate risk and plan interventions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities for partnership working.
• Experience producing high-quality written reports and professional assessments (courts/ Panels).
• Commitment to Child First and restorative approaches, leading by example.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality assessment and case oversight, managing risk and wellbeing for children and young people.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with families, carers and partner agencies.
• Provide targeted interventions to help children develop strengths and reduce offending.
• Prepare and present professional reports for courts, referral panels and other agencies.
• Lead and support practice excellence and contribute to service development.

Skills

Children & youth

Assessment skills

Analytical skills

Relationship-building

Written reports

Job description

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Youth Justice Professional Practitioner - Bridgwater

Salary: Grade 10 ranging from SCP 26-31 £38,510 - £43,149

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

LOCATION: THIS ROLE IS BASED IN BRIDGWATER

Join Somerset Youth Justice and be part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team dedicated to helping children realise their potential, preventing offending, and creating safer communities.

About the Role

• We have an exciting opportunity to join our Somerset Youth Justice Team as a Professional Practitioner, covering the West of the county in Somerset.
• Somerset Youth Justice Team (YJT) aims to reduce youth offending through early intervention and providing holistic, multi-agency support. Most of the work of the team is with children and young people aged 10 to 18 who have been arrested by the police for a crime.
• The team includes social workers, police, a probation officer, a psychologist, restorative justice workers, an education worker and volunteers. We work in a child centred approach, recognising young people as children first and offenders second.
• We are committed to working with all children, young people, their parents and carers and victims without discrimination through race, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
• We want to help support each child and young person living in Somerset to have the best possible chance of achieving their potential. What we know is that our children and young people are some of the most socially and educationally vulnerable in the county.

How You'll Make a Difference

Deliver high-quality assessment and case oversight, ensuring effective management of risk, vulnerability, wellbeing, and individual needs for children and young people. [

Build positive, trusting relationships with children, families, carers, and partner agencies to achieve meaningful and lasting change. [

Provide targeted interventions and support, helping children develop strengths, improve outcomes, and reduce the likelihood of further offending.

Prepare and present professional reports and assessments for courts, referral panels, and other agencies, supporting informed decision-making.

Lead and support practice excellence, providing guidance to Intervention Workers and contributing to service development, learning, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring

Significant experience of working with children and young people, particularly those who present risk, vulnerability, or complex needs.

Strong assessment and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate risk, identify strengths, and develop effective intervention plans.

Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities, enabling effective partnership working with families, professionals, and external agencies.

Experience of producing high-quality written reports and professional assessments, including work for courts or other formal settings.

A commitment to Child First and restorative approaches, with the ability to lead by example and promote high standards of professional practice.

Why Join Us?

At Somerset Council, we're a progressive organisation committed to improving lives and shaping better services for our communities. Based in one of England's most beautiful counties, it's a great place to build your career and enjoy an excellent quality of life.

• 30 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's most enhanced and secure pension schemes.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance, where service needs allow.
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to confidential employee assistance services.
• Paid volunteering opportunities, helping you make a difference both inside and outside of work.
• Core working hours Monday to Friday, with an expectation of Saturday working to cover court duties on a rota basis.
• Flexible working available, using a hybrid model - working from home and your contracted work base.
• Access to car / travel around Somerset
• Interview dates: 13th or 19th October
• Any further information

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for VISA sponsorship.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Neil James, Team Manager via email: [e-mail]

We believe diversity makes us stronger and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, whose unique perspectives help us better serve the people of Somerset.