Youth Justice Case Manager/Social Worker

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

Join North Somerset's Youth Justice and Prevention Service

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Youth Justice and Prevention Service (YJPS) as a Case Manager. We are looking for a passionate, skilled and child-focused practitioner who can build positive relationships with children, families and partners to support positive change and improve life opportunities for children involved in the youth justice system.

The YJPS is a successful multi-agency partnership bringing together Children's Services, Avon and Somerset Police, Probation, Health, Education and community partners. We work with children aged 10 to 17 who are involved with the youth justice system, alongside victims of crime and families, with the aim of preventing further offending, reducing harm and helping children achieve positive outcomes.

Our practice is grounded in the Child First evidence base, trauma-informed approaches and North Somerset's relational practice model. We recognise that children who offend are often children who have experienced adversity, trauma and unmet needs. We work alongside children and families to identify strengths, build resilience, reduce risk and support safer futures.

The Role

As a Case Manager you will hold a caseload of children with a range of needs and levels of complexity. You will undertake assessments of risk, safety, vulnerability and wellbeing, develop intervention plans and coordinate support to help children move away from offending behaviour.

You will work directly with children, parents and carers, delivering purposeful interventions that address offending behaviour, promote positive identity and strengthen protective factors. You will also work closely with victims, ensuring their views are heard and that restorative approaches are considered whenever appropriate.

The role includes preparing high-quality assessments and reports for courts, referral panels and other decision-making forums. You will represent the service in court and multi-agency meetings and contribute to effective risk management and safeguarding arrangements.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across Children's Services, Education, Health, Police, Probation and the voluntary sector to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

We Are Looking for Someone Who:

• Has a professional qualification or degree in a relevant discipline such as Social Work, Youth Justice, Probation, Education, Criminal Justice or Health.
• Has experience of working directly with children and families who have complex needs or who present risk and vulnerability.
• Can undertake assessments, develop plans and manage interventions effectively.
• Is able to communicate confidently and build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.
• Can prepare clear, analytical and evidence-based reports.
• Works effectively within a multi-agency environment and values collaborative practice.
• Shares our commitment to Child First practice, safeguarding and promoting positive outcomes for children.

Key Responsibilities: This is not an exhaustive list – please see job description

1. Within the relevant criminal justice legislation, to work as part of multi-disciplinary Youth Justice Service, to provide a range of integrated services for children within the community and the Secure Estate, their families, carers, the Court’s and victims of crime while contributing to the prevention of offending, in accordance with the Youth Justice Plans targets.
2. To be responsible for a caseload of children with varying complexity. Making assessments of need for children who have offended to reflect their individual circumstances. This includes assessment of harm to the individual, wider community and harm to others, developing and implementing intervention programmes and enhancing community safety.
3. To undertake ongoing monitoring and reviewing of the needs of allocated children who have offended, amending plans in response to changing needs and ensuring appropriate service provision commensurate with need.
4. To work with children at risk of offending and their families, victims of offending by children and with parents on parenting orders or those requesting voluntary support.

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work Style

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

About You

We are looking for an individual who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria:

• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and experience of at least two social work skill areas.
• Ability to:
  • a) Adapt to unexpected problems and situations.
  • b) Analyse individual and social situations and to describe the interaction of the factors involved.
  • c) Make decisions to complex situations sometimes on the basis of uncertain information.
  • d) Communicate effectively on the telephone and write cogent and lucid reports.
  • e) Plan programmes of work with service users and evaluate such programmes thereafter.

Desirable Criteria:

• A commitment to and a responsibility for personal development and an ability to take advantage of training opportunities
• Experience of voluntary or paid work involving counselling helping or advising people.

What We Offer

North Somerset Council is committed to supporting staff development and wellbeing. We offer regular professional supervision, access to specialist training, flexible working arrangements and opportunities to develop expertise across youth justice practice areas, including court work, restorative justice, harmful sexual behaviour, youth violence and contextual safeguarding.

This is a career graded post with opportunities for progression as skills, experience and responsibilities develop.

Flexitime arrangements apply. The role will involve some evening and weekend work, including participation in a Saturday court rota. The post also requires regular travel across North Somerset and occasionally beyond the local authority area.

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment. We offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

How to Apply

If you share our vision and valuesand are ready to make an impact to North Somerset, please select the apply online button below. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application by 11.59pm on the application closing date. When completing our online application form, please detail how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

Contact Information

For further information about the role, please contact Nicky Herron, Team Manager (nicky.herron@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Important Information

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Interview Date: To be advised.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.