Senior Court Officer

Birmingham Youth Justice Service is in the middle of an exciting and extensive modernisation programme with a clear goal to become the sector leading youth justice service. We are creating a progressive, creative, energetic and inspiring service that is best equipped to understand and reduce offending behaviour amongst children and we are looking for the right people to help us to achieve this.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the right individuals to join Birmingham Youth Justice Service as our Senior Court Officer.

Have you the skills and experience to provide an effective service in the Criminal Court setting? Are you able to promote the Birmingham Youth Justice Service’s interventions regarding the courts, parents, children, and young people?

You must have experience of working in a multi‑agency setting with children and young people involved in the Criminal Justice System and knowledge of criminal legislation including bail and remand as it affects youths. The ability to work on your own initiative is essential. You must have experience of preparing formal reports, carrying out safeguarding assessments, evaluating risk, and dealing with contextual safeguarding issues.

You’ll have the experience and awareness of the underlying issues that contribute to children and young people’s offending behaviour and will want to achieve the best outcomes for them, their family, their victims and the community.

office role based in Birmingham City Centre so you must reside within a suitable commutable distance around Birmingham and have the correct right‑to‑work documents to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship.

• To work as part of the Youth Justice Service (YJS) Court Team servicing Birmingham Youth, Magistrates and Crown Court to fulfil the statutory requirements placed on the Youth Justice Service by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and any proceeding legislation.
• Working in partnership with the Criminal Justice Agencies and the Judiciary. Influencing remand and sentencing decisions, particularly in reducing the use of remands to youth detention.
• Undertaking assessments including safeguarding and vulnerability to determine the appropriateness of placements in respect of children and young people entering the secure estate and delivering these services in line with the expectations of the Youth Justice Board.
• To ensure that the appropriate action is taken by the Court Team after each Court session to meet the requirements of the bench upon the Youth Justice Service or its statutory partners. This will involve the maintenance of clear, concise written records, and updating the Youth Justice Service electronic database and Youth Justice Service E‑records.
• Liaison with other agencies involved in the court process, including the presentation and dissemination of Youth Justice Service information, formal reports, and interventions to Judges and Magistrates.
• Production of placement information and post custody reports within the asset plus framework as required by the Youth Justice Board.
• Assisting with monitoring and reviewing the team’s workload to enhance overall performance aligned with key performance measures.
• You will be required to work on Bank Holidays and Saturdays on a rota basis.

• Experience of work within the Criminal Justice setting with children and young people.
• Ability to produce good quality Bail Packages.
• Excellent communication, advocacy, and assessment skills supported by a good understanding of the YJS Court Officer role to work in this specialist arena.
• Knowledge and understanding of the bail and remand process as it relates to children.
• Ability to co‑ordinate the assessments of children regarding public protection, prevention of offending, risk and safeguarding.
• Ability to manage a team as you will be deputising in the absence of the Court Team Manager.
• Able to support the team with operational issues and escalating to senior management where needed, as planned by the Court Team Manager.
• Extensive knowledge and application of Statutory Orders and Youth Justice diversion work.

Please note as part of our onboarding…