Youth Justice Practitioner- Eastern Area Team

The main duties of this role include the following:
• To operate within the policies and guidelines of the YJA as directed by YJA Middle and Senior Management
• To support and challenge young people (10-17) in (or on the fringes of) the Criminal Justice System to desist from offending and to improve their life chances
• To undertake Youth Conferences in order to ensure that restorative interventions are at the heart of all intervention plans, taking into account (where appropriate) the views of victims
• To promote and deliver a range of restorative approaches (outside the Youth Conference) in order to support young people and to take into account the views of victims.
• To work closely with victims in ensuring their views are heard and that they are fully engaged with the process if they wish to be
• To provide high quality oral and written reports to expedite speedy justice with Courts and the Public Prosecution Service to offer meaningful and realistic options for those delivering sentences
• To undertake a range of assessments including the Youth Justice Agency Needs Assessment & others to inform the development of holistic and tailor-made intervention plans. Said plans will address assessed need, risk and vulnerability as they impact on offending
• To ensure all intervention plans with young people are informed by both appropriate assessment(s) and by the out workings of the Youth Conference and to ensure said interventions are premised on planning, reviewing and evaluation of progress on a regular basis
• To work in partnership with young people, families/carers, communities and professional bodies to support positive behaviour change and reduce offending
• To negotiate appropriate interventions with families to address assessed risk areas for the young person
• To establish multi-agency and community networks and support in order to deliver interventions in partnership and to ensure the reintegration of young people in the criminal justice system
• To source, risk assess and manage appropriate and meaningful Reparative Activity placements in order to deliver Service in the Community requirements
• To participate in and prepare reports for case conferences; reviews and any other meetings relevant to the young person
• To maintain timely and accurate written and electronic records in accordance with YJA case recording policy
• To participate in training and support of volunteers, Social Work & Youth Work students and sessional workers
• To oversee, supervise and manage Court Orders, Public Prosecution Service Plans and voluntary (Earlier Stage Intervention) arrangements
• To attend youth courts, when necessary, to provide supplementary information on reports or to provide updates on any non-compliance applications.
• To facilitate Youth Engagement Clinics (in partnership with the Police Service for Northern Ireland and the Public Prosecution Service) to ensure that suitable young people are exited from the Criminal Justice System at the earliest opportunity and/or are fully cognisant of the range of appropriate diversionary disposals
• To deliver Community Resolution Notice programmes to young people referred directly by the Police Service for Northern Ireland
• To participate in supervision, team meetings, training and staff development programmes
• To carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the post
The above list is not exhaustive but gives a good indication of the main duties of the post.

Essential Experience &Qualifications required:

Degree in Social Work or Degree in Youth and Community work (Must be one of the 2 degrees listed)
Demonstrate experience of working with young people who display challenging behaviour.
Demonstrate experience of writing formal reports.
Driving Licence and access to a form of transport that will enable them to fulfil the responsibilities of the job in full.

Desired Experience and Qualifications.

Preferred knowledge of working with young people in a justice context

How to Apply: Please apply below or send your CV

RecCoBelfast