Youth Justice Worker - High Risk

Wigan Council; Wigan; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Wigan is seeking a Youth Justice Worker to deliver high-quality targeted services for children and families. The role involves managing complex cases, completing assessments, and engaging young people at risk of offending. The ideal candidate will hold a qualification in Social Work or equivalent and demonstrate empathy and resilience. This is a flexible position requiring travel and evening/weekend availability, with a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of young people.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the Youth Justice system, safeguarding and anti-oppressive practice.
• Experience managing cases involving young people who offend or are at risk.
• Knowledge of areas such as youth custody, courts, NEET, homelessness, mental health, and children looked after.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high quality services to children, young people, and families.
• Manage a caseload and complete high-quality assessments and reports.
• Engage with children, young people, and families to shape intervention plans.

Skills

empathy

resilience

ability to build trust while challenging appropriately

Education

Qualified professional in Social Work or equivalent RQF Level 5

Job description

Roles and Responsibilities

As a Youth Justice Worker you will ensure the delivery of high quality and effective targeted services to children, young people and families, assuming responsibility for complex or high-risk work as the identified lead professional. You will provide support according to the needs of children and young people involved in offending, anti‑social and risk‑taking behaviours, and to help them achieve their goals by identifying strengths and building on individual, family and community capacity.

This will include the management of a caseload, court work, the completion of high‑quality assessments and reports and delivering a range of evidence‑based interventions including one‑to‑one work and family work. You will adopt an asset‑based approach and engage in new conversations in order to build positive relationships with children and families.

You will ensure that appropriate assessments (e.g. Out of Court Framework, AssetPlus/AIM/Early Help Assessments) are completed to a high standard and relevant information is appropriately shared between partner agencies and providers of support, to manage risk to self and others.

You will ensure that children, young people and their families are fully engaged in the process, and their voice is captured to formulate, shape and design appropriate intervention plans. Similarly, you ensure that the victim/s of offences are considered, and their views reflected in intervention with young people and families.

You will ensure that court reports, other reports and case‑management recording are completed to a high standard and within required national and local standards to the service requirements, and where young people pose a risk of harm to the public, that risk is managed and reduced through a range of interventions and co‑delivery with key partner agencies. You will ensure that the statutory requirements of orders are delivered and will implement plans to re‑engage children and young people or take further action to enforce the court order or disposal.

Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for a qualified professional in Social Work or equivalent RQF Level 5 (Health, Education, including youth work, Police and Probation Service) with a strong understanding of the Youth Justice system, safeguarding, and anti‑oppressive practice. You will have experience managing cases involving young people who offend or are at risk, and knowledge of areas such as youth custody, courts, NEET, homelessness, mental health, and children looked after.

• empathy
• resilience
• the ability to build trust while challenging appropriately

You will work flexibly across home, office, and community settings, and be willing to work evenings and weekends when needed. A driving licence or ability to travel is essential.

About the Team and Wigan Council

Join Wigan's Youth Justice team, part of the REACH Service within Children and Families, and make a real difference to young people's lives. This specialist team works with children and young people with complex needs, helping them achieve positive, lasting change and lead lives free from offending. You will collaborate with passionate professionals in a high‑quality service committed to restorative justice and asset‑based approaches that empower families and communities. Wigan Council has been voted Overall Council of the Year at the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Awards. We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment ensuring that your service will be continuous or 'unbroken' between the supporting organisations.

The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It draws on the strengths of our individual organisations, recognising that together we can achieve much more for our communities by delivering on our two place missions: creating fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and making our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.

We welcome applications from all communities and encourage under‑represented groups to apply. Find out more about working for #TeamWigan.