Youth Justice Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Youth Justice Officer to join Southampton Youth Justice within Southampton City Council. This is a key role in our multi-disciplinary team and primarily you will be expected to engage, assess and work directly with children aged 10 -17 years who are at risk of offending or who have offended. The Southampton Youth Justice Service are seeking someone with a strong background in working with children who pose a risk of harm to others, and an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment. This post is funded to support children who are at risk of remand and custody, and we are particularly keen to hear from professionals with relevant expertise.

What you’ll be doing:

• Managing a caseload of high-risk children, including those who are bailed or convicted of serious offences triggering multi-agency public protection arrangements.
• Devising and delivering bail packages for those children who are at risk of remand incorporating stringent conditions such as ISS.
• Writing Pre-Sentence Reports at pace, with clarity and precision.
• Leading on risk assessment and risk management, ensuring that robust and responsive plans are put in place. Completing both SAVRY and AIM3 assessments once trained in these tools.
• Working with children subject to notices of supervision and licences, supporting their transition and rehabilitation.
• Identifying and preparing eligible children for a successful transition to the Probation Service.
• Designing and delivering structured intervention packages that promote change while prioritising safety.
• Collaborating with partners to address domestic abuse and sexual harm, which are increasing concerns in our cohort.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in youth justice, social care, probation, or a related field.
• Expertise in working with children who present a risk to others, including those in custody.
• Confidence in writing high-quality reports and assessments under pressure.
• A commitment to safeguarding and creating safe, structured environments for change.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach to complex cases.
• Strong partnership working skills and a belief in the potential of every child.

Why join us?

Southampton Youth Justice Service is a dynamic and forward-thinking team, committed to innovation and impact. You will be part of a service that values professional curiosity, trauma-informed practice, and collaborative working. We offer regular supervision, opportunities for professional development, and a supportive team culture.

Southampton is a city facing real challenges around serious youth violence, and our Youth Justice Service is at the heart of the response. We are a high-performing, creative, and committed team working with children who present complex risks and vulnerabilities. We’re looking for someone who shares our passion for supporting children in the justice system and who brings expertise, energy, and a strong sense of purpose. If you are ready to lead on high-risk cases, contribute to innovative solutions, and help shape safer futures for children and communities, we would love to hear from you.

What We Can Offer You

Salary: The salary band for this role is £43,150 - £47,664. The starting salary is £43,150 with annual progression through the salary bands.

Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.

• Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
• Generous holiday 25–34 days, based on role and service
• Flexible working options (role-dependent)
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)

Southampton City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references.

If you are applying for this opportunity internally on a secondment basis, you must obtain agreement from your current manager before applying. If you are successful, we will contact your manager to confirm the secondment arrangements.

Join us and help shape brighter futures for children in Southampton.

Interview Information:

Please note that interviews are provisionally scheduled for 18th December 2026.

Manager contact details:

For any queries please contact Anna Kingdom on Anna.Kingdom@southampton.gov.uk

For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council
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Attachments

• Youth Justice Officer - Job Description.pdf