Location
Romford, London Borough of Havering

Hours
Full Time - Permanent

Salary
£54,267 - £58,461 per annum (plus £4,000 Market Supplement Payment)

About the Role
Are you an experienced Youth Justice professional looking for an opportunity to lead practice, support colleagues and make a lasting difference to children and young people? The London Borough of Havering is seeking an outstanding Advanced Practitioner to join our Youth Justice Service. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner who is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children, reducing offending, safeguarding vulnerable young people and strengthening families.

Working alongside the Team Manager, you will play a key role in driving high-quality practice across the service, providing professional leadership, mentoring colleagues and supporting the management of complex and high-risk cases.

As an Advanced Practitioner, you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of a high-performing Youth Justice Service that safeguards children, young people, families and communities. You will:
- Provide expert practice leadership and consultation across the Youth Justice Service
- Support practitioners managing complex cases involving serious youth violence, exploitation, gangs, criminal behaviour, vulnerability and safeguarding concerns
- Deliver and oversee statutory interventions within youth justice, criminal justice and social care frameworks
- Ensure risk assessments, intervention plans and safeguarding plans are completed to a consistently high standard
- Promote child-first, trauma-informed and restorative approaches to practice
- Coach, mentor and develop practitioners to improve performance and outcomes
- Contribute to quality assurance, auditing and service improvement activities
- Support the Team Manager in delivering performance targets, national standards and Youth Justice Board requirements
- Build effective relationships with police, probation, education, health, social care and community partners
- Support the development of policies, procedures, practice guidance and workforce development initiatives
- Champion the participation and voice of children, young people and victims throughout assessment, planning and intervention

Experience
- Significant experience within Youth Justice, Children's Social Care or a related safeguarding service
- Substantial experience working with children and young people who offend or are at risk of offending
- Experience of managing complex, high-risk and multi-agency cases
- Experience of supporting, coaching and developing colleagues

About You
- Highly skilled practitioner with a strong commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for children, families and victims
- Strong understanding of Youth Justice legislation, safeguarding frameworks and national standards
- Excellent assessment, risk management and intervention planning skills
- Strong partnership-working and relationship-building abilities
- Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills

Qualifications
- A recognised professional qualification relevant to Youth Justice, Social Work, Probation, Youth Work or a related field