Location
Central London (including HMP Wetherby, HMP Werrington, HMP Feltham)

Hours
Initial training: 37 hours per week. Post-training: choose to work 37, 39, or 41 hours per week with various shift patterns including evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays.

Salary
National (37 hours/week): £33,746 including unsocial hours allowance.
Outer London (37 hours/week): £39,525 including unsocial hours allowance and £2,000 market supplement.
All salary figures include applicable allowances.

About the Role
The Youth Justice Worker role is focused on supporting children and young people in custody within HMYOI, HMP and YOI, Secure Training Centres, and Secure Children’s Homes. This role is vital in reshaping how children and young people are cared for in custody by ensuring their safety and security while providing day-to-day support.

You will be responsible for interventions, overseeing safe movement around the site, and supervising children and young people who may have committed serious offences or have complex needs including mental health challenges. You will receive comprehensive training to understand diverse backgrounds and individual circumstances, enabling you to respond effectively in complex situations.

This is a physically active role requiring a DBS check and the ability to work various shifts. The role offers a 2-year fixed-term appointment with the option to convert to permanency after 12 months, subject to approval. The Advance into Justice scheme supports Armed Forces veterans, service leavers, and their families into operational roles within HMPPS.

Successful completion of a 12-month probationary period offers the opportunity to undertake a Level 4 qualification focused on working with children and young people in custody, with clear progression pathways including specialist roles.

Experience
No formal qualifications or prior experience are required. Personal qualities and commitment to supporting vulnerable children and young people are essential.

About you
- Strong communication and influencing skills
- Commitment to high standards of care and service
- Effective decision-making abilities
- Empathy and understanding
- Passion for supporting children, young people, and families
- Ability to identify and assess complex needs
- Skilled in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and behavioural management
- Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals and organisations
- Respectful curiosity and balanced approach to challenge and support
- Physically fit to meet the demands of the role
- Willingness to work fixed shift patterns including evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays

Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years old at the start of employment
- Must meet Civil Service nationality requirements
- Must pass medical and fitness assessments including eyesight and hearing standards
- Must be able to communicate confidently in English (or Welsh where specified)
- Tattoos are permitted if not offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating; facial tattoos generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious, or medical reasons
- DBS check required