Youth Justice Worker

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £36,363 - £39,862 per annum, plus benefits
Location: Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham
Contract: Contract
Working Pattern: Full Time/Evenings/Weekends
Hours: 37 hours per week. Some evening work or weekend work may be required occasionally..
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 24/03/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 710410, 704820

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Youth Justice Worker to join our Prevention and Youth Justice Service (PYJS) at Wokingham Borough Council on a full time, 12 month fixed term contract (maternity leave cover).

We are recruiting for two maternity leave cover positions, one with an expected immediate start and one with a July 2026 start.

We are a trauma responsive service, who work compassionately and restoratively, with a child first guiding principle. We care about our staff by providing development opportunities and promoting a healthy work/life balance. We are a small, hands on team, who work creatively with children, listening to them and involving them in shaping our service. We like to learn and develop so we hold workshops and training events every month.

The quality of our work has been recognised by the HMIP inspection from June 2024 and the youth justice board. The impact of our work is evidenced in the 50% reduction of the first time entrants into our service as well as the reduction of the re-offending rates.

As a youth justice worker, you will hold a mix caseload of prevention, diversion, out of court and Court/custodial cases.

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐ A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays

⭐ Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme

⭐ An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline

⭐A range of local & lifestyle discounts

⭐ Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)

⭐ Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes

⭐ And much more!

Key Aspects of the role

• We work with children who are at risk of offending or who have already offended to reduce the chances they will offend again and support them achieve their full potential.
• Our prevention and diversion offers are very strong. These include the development and delivery of group work and tailored workshops for children.
• A key aspect of our work is writing analytical and critical assessments, reports and plans. There is a lot of case management and record keeping is an essential part of our job.
• We have a duty to safeguard our children whilst also protecting the public: safety assessments, safety management and safeguarding and welfare of the children we work with is an essential aspect of our role.
• We work in a multi-agency team and context: we support children as part of a network so you must be good communicating with others to overcome barriers and achieve better outcomes for our children.
• Our role involves adherence to many pieces of legislation, frameworks, and guidance which you will have to learn and become familiar with to be able to deliver your role.

Candidate Requirements

• There is an essential requirement for this role to have aqualification in Social Work, Probation Services or Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (PCEP). Consideration for candidates without qualification will only be on the basis of them being
  currently employed as a youth justice worker/Probation Officer/Probation Service Officer in another service and to have held that post for a minimum of 6 months. Candidates that do not meet this essential requirement will not be shortlisted.
• You are knowledgable about the Child First framework, trauma informed approaches, relevant criminal youth justice legislation, National Standards for Children in Youth Justice and Youth Justice Board best practice guidance.
• You are familiar with Restorative Justice and the support that victims of crime need.
• You can relate and engage with children and families, who have often experienced trauma.
• You have experience of working with partners to…