Education, Training ETE Practitioner

Staffordshire Youth Justice Service (SYJS) is looking to recruit an Education, Training and Employment Practitioner based in the South Hub (Lichfield office). The South Hub covers Stafford, Cannock, South Staffs, Lichfield, Tamworth and Burton.

Our service works with children (10‑18) who have been referred by Police or other agencies due to concern about potential criminal involvement (prevention), considered for out‑of‑court resolutions, have been through the court system and received a community order, or have had custodial sentences.

This is a full‑time (37 hours) permanent role.

You will:

• work closely with SYJS key workers and identify and assess the educational needs of children supported;
• work directly with children to support them achieving identified goals in relation to ETE;
• be expected to form positive working relationships with complex and often neuro‑diverse children;
• liaise with education/training providers and attend relevant meetings to support children accessing appropriate ETE in line with their assessment;
• attend district/county meetings to represent SYJS, supporting and advocating for the children in our service. This will include SEND Hubs and exclusion discussions;
• complete, maintain and review appropriate records on the SYJS recording system and contribute to returns required quarterly by the Youth Justice Board;
• provide advice and guidance to SYJS colleagues on education, training and employment matters;
• engage in regular supervision/discussion with the Operation Manager (South Hub) and develop and discuss ETE initiatives and opportunities;
• liaise and work in partnership with SYJS ETE Practitioner (North Hub).

You will:

• have a relevant, recognised professional qualification in the field of education, training or employment at Level 3 or above;
• possess key skills equivalent to Level 2 in English, Maths, Communication and IT;
• have experience of working with or on behalf of children and experience of face‑to‑face work with children, young people and families in relation to Education, Training & Employment;
• be able to demonstrate evidence of using assessment, planning and review processes to meet the needs of children, young people and families;
• demonstrate some experience of working with children who may not be in Education, Employment or Training (NEET);
• have the ability to develop positive working relationships with children, families and relevant partner agencies;
• have the effective ability to write and present high‑quality verbal and written reports (in court and other formal settings);
• be able to work between 8 am and 8 pm with some weekend and Bank Holiday working.

You will have a:

• flexible approach, seeing children when they are available, in a variety of settings including home visits. There is an expectation of evening and occasionally weekend working;
• opportunity to plan your diary to be as effective as possible, with a mix of working at the Lichfield office base, locations within the South Hub and home if appropriate;
• support for children working with our service who often have had difficult experiences with the education system and require understanding and motivation to achieve their capabilities.

The role requires patience, understanding and resilience. It can be frustrating on occasions but rewarding. You will be an integral part of our team trying to improve the opportunities for children who often feel left behind and not listened to.

Interview date provisionally Friday 10th April 2026.

Don’t feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences and qualifications so consider applying anyway or for an informal chat about the role. Please contact Simon Woollett, SYJS Operations Manager (South Hub) at simon.w or Vicky Ward, SYJS Senior Practitioner (South Hub) at vic

We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and a Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. As an Authority, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.