Youth Justice Service Assistant Practitioner

Youth Justice Service Assistant Practitioner

Fixed Term, Full Time

£33,049 to £37,698 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Operational field-based worker

Closing Date: 5th July

Contract type: Please note that this is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until March 2029

Interview Date: 16th and 17th July 2026 in Chelmsford

Job Purpose

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

The Role:

Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.

This role is funded through a Ministry of Justice grant delivered in partnership across Essex, Southend and Thurrock Youth Justice Services, focused on reducing the number of children remanded to custody. The programme strengthens community-based alternatives by providing intensive bail support, enhanced supervision and surveillance, helping courts make informed decisions that keep children safely in the community wherever possible. Working as part of a consortium, the service aims to improve outcomes for children, reduce unnecessary use of custody, and build confidence in robust, multi-agency approaches to managing risk and supporting rehabilitation.

This role will contribute to the overall aim of the YJS, to reduce offending by young people, through working closely with family, schools and other relevant key agencies to address the factors leading to offending.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Children & Families. Please take a look at our 'No Magic' Children & Families video

Accountabilities:

• Complete comprehensive and high-quality assessments of young people using ASSETplus and other approved YJS risk tools in accordance with National and Service standards.
• Create and deliver effective intervention plans that evidence input from young people and parents/carers and utilise all YJS resources and work collaboratively with other partnership providers to access additional services to support the young person and prevent further offending.
• Build effective interagency working relationships, to have an understanding of voluntary and statutory agencies and have an awareness of opportunities within the local community.
• Responsible for holding a caseload of young people subject to statutory Court orders and Out of Court Disposal interventions. Undertaking direct work to address the criminogenic factors that underpin young people's offending behaviour.
• Ensure risk and safeguarding processes in accordance with YJS policies and procedures.
• Consistent, accurate and timely record keeping, utilising the Youth Justice case management system (IYSS).
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
• To complete sessions with young people covering a range of topics, including lifeskills, offending behaviour, restorative justice and constructive pursuits. This sessions are completed both in the community and at home addresses.

This role will require the successful candidate to work one weekend in four, taking a day off both the week before and after their working weekend. The candidate will also receive a 6% enhancement on their salary.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area, including travelling around the County of Essex. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

The Experience You Will Bring:

• Qualified to NVQ Level 3 (A Level) or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Expert knowledge of the criminogenic factors that underpin young people's offending behaviour and development.
• Experience of working creatively with young people whilst taking into account their learning needs and stage of development
• Demonstrable experience of working directly with young people and skills to engage hard to reach young people and their families/carers.
• Excellent communication skills and IT literate to ensure high quality recording on YOS case management system

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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