Youth Justice Worker

Ministry of Justice; Collingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking a Youth Justice Worker in Collingham, UK. This role involves ensuring the safety of children and young people in custody and providing essential support. Applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including passing a medical assessment. Opportunities for career progression and specialized training will be provided. The position will require shifts, and additional paid hours may be possible.

Benefits

25 days annual holiday

Paid time off for public holidays

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must meet Civil Service nationality requirements.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the security and safety of children and young people.
• Deliver training to understand diverse backgrounds.
• Provide day-to-day support in a custodial setting.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Crisis intervention

Job description

Overview

Advance into Justice is a recruitment scheme targeted at supporting those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families into employment within operational roles within HMPPS. Advance into Justice is open to Service Leavers, Armed Forces Veterans, their Spouses and Legal Partners. Eligible applicants who pass our assessment processes will be offered a 2 year fixed-term appointment with the option after 12 months, to convert to permanency, subject to approval, under Exception 10 of the Civil Service recruitment principles. All provisional offers will be held for a period of 12 months from the point of offer, to allow service leavers to plan for their exit from the Armed Forces and transition directly into a career with HMPPS. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you are applying for this role and you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.

Role and Responsibilities

The youth custody service is transforming its workforce, and the youth justice worker role is focused on supporting children and young people in custody. This role is vital in reshaping how children and young people are cared for in custody. In this role you will be responsible for ensuring the security and safety of children and young people while providing day-to-day support in a custodial setting. You will deliver comprehensive training and development to understand the diverse backgrounds and individual circumstances of those in youth custody, and how your responses in complex or dynamic situations can help these individuals build better futures. You will work to support and guide vulnerable children and young people and will need a DBS check.

This role involves practical duties in custody, including interventions when required, supervising safe movement around the site, and providing supervision to ensure safety. You will work with children and young people who may have committed serious offenses, come from challenging backgrounds, and/or have mental health needs. You will play a significant part in providing them with opportunities to better their future. After vacancy identification, you may be invited to complete a medical and fitness test (eyesight, hearing, basic health screening, including blood pressure). Medical and fitness assessments are conducted at a UK-based centre.

Training and Career Progression

Within youth custody, you’ll have a clear progression pathway. After a successful 12-month probationary period, you will be offered the opportunity to undertake a Level 4 Qualification focused on working with children and young people in custody. Full details will be provided prior to enrolment. Upon successful qualification, you may progress to a Band 4 Youth Justice Worker Specialist role. Ongoing training and development for specialist skills such as child protection and safeguarding will be provided.

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever found. See the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information. Reasonable Adjustment Support: As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ offers adjustments to candidates who need them when applying for roles. Please arrange adjustments in advance of online tests or assessment centres; adjustments requested on the day cannot always be accommodated.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old at the point of commencement
• Meet Civil Service nationality requirements
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process
• Meet eyesight standards in both eyes (with or without corrective lenses)
• Have suitable hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
• Tattoos: generally allowed if not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious or medical reasons
• Right to live and work in the Civil Service and the United Kingdom
• Travel to work: driving licence and own transport are beneficial but not essential unless specified

Recruitment Process

• Online tests to assess basic judgement and numerical skills
• Online assessment centre to evaluate abilities, behaviours and strengths
• Assessment of spoken English (and Welsh where applicable) and overall suitability

Pay, Benefits and Working Hours

The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you may work 37, 39 or 41 hours per week depending on role. Salary bands reflect weekly hours and location, with the following examples: National: 37 hours – £33,746; Outer London: 37 hours – £39,525 (includes £2,000 market supplement). Salaries include applicable location allowances and other benefits. Roles operate 24/7, with shift patterns including evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays. The standard working week is 39 hours; opportunities for additional paid hours may be available.

• 25 days annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
• Paid time off for public holidays and an extra privilege day
• Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits