Adolescent Practitioner - Youth Justice Service

Job Title: Adolescent Practitioner - Youth Justice Service
Starting Salary: £34,434 progressing to £37280 pa per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 18.5
Location: Stevenage covering Stevenage and North Herts (hybrid)
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and young people?

Hertfordshire’s Youth Justice Service is seeking a dedicated Adolescent Practitioner to join our skilled and motivated team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with children aged 10–18 who have received either a diversionary, Out of Court resolution or Court Order.

About the team

You’ll be joining Hertfordshire’s Youth Justice Service – a passionate, skilled, and dedicated team committed to supporting children and young people to make positive changes in their lives. We work collaboratively with families, communities, and partner agencies to deliver evidence-based interventions that reduce offending, manage risk, and promote safety. Our team values creativity, resilience, and a child-first approach, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to achieve their potential.

About the role

As an Adolescent Practitioner, you will play a vital role in helping children navigate challenges, make positive choices, and build brighter futures. Your work will directly impact not only the children you support but also their families and the wider community.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of children subject to Out of Court (diversion) or community-based Court Orders.
• Deliver robust assessments and tailored interventions to reduce offending and manage risk.
• Work in partnership with Children’s Services, statutory bodies, and voluntary agencies to provide effective programmes.
• Engage with children, families, and victims to ensure consistency and positive outcomes.
• Maintain accurate case records on ChildView and produce high-quality reports and plans.
• Participate in team activities such as operational duty and court cover, including evenings and weekends.
• Triaging children in police custody to assess their needs, provide support, and ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

About you

Essential:

• Relevant qualifications in youth work, criminology, criminal justice, or equivalent experience.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively with children, families, and professionals.
• Understanding of the child-first approach and experience building positive relationships.
• Strong IT, organisational, and communication skills.
• Experience in conflict resolution and problem-solving.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Desirable:

• Experience delivering groupwork programmes for children.
• Knowledge of legislation and policies relating to youth justice.
• Self-motivated with excellent workload management skills.

Why Join Us?

Joining Hertfordshire’s Youth Justice Service means becoming part of a passionate and committed team that strives to create positive change for children and young people. You’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact on individual lives and community safety, while working in a supportive environment that values collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. We offer ongoing development opportunities and the chance to work alongside skilled colleagues who share your dedication to helping children achieve brighter futures. Apply now.

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is within the Health and Social Care Services, level HSC9 job profile. Please locate this via:

Job profiles - Health and social care

To hear more about this opportunity please contact Madeline.Smith@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.

Interview Date: Thursday 5th February, in person at our Stevenage offices

Benefits of working for us

How to apply

As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Additional information

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.