Our client is looking to recruit an experienced individual who can work restoratively and deliver high quality statutory services with creativity and innovation as part of a whole team approach to reducing reoffending whilst meeting the needs of victims of youth crime. This post is based in the Youth Offending Service and will predominantly be responsible for the delivery of the Out of Court disposals framework and Triage diversion work.

* To contribute to the development of Croydon Triage Project in conjunction with Police.
* To plan and deliver Out of Court Disposals (Youth Cautions/Youth Conditional Cautions).
* To work restoratively and contribute to the development and implementation of Court Orders and Interventions in line with the requirements under the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing Act 2000) as amended.
- To undertake direct work with young people and their families in an individual or group work context to strengthen positive factors and address agreed identified areas of difficulty.

You will need a relevant qualification and / or substantial recent experience within Youth Justice, excellent assessment skills, a solid track record of direct work with young people in a youth justice setting plus knowledge and understanding of legislation, National Standards and guidance relevant to youth justice and the needs of victims.

Essential knowledge:
* An appropriate qualification in a discipline involving work with young people or the criminal justice system
OR
* Substantial recent experience of direct work with young people and their families involved in the Youth Justice System.
* Full working knowledge of legislation relevant to young offenders, e.g. Crime & Disorder Act 1998, Children's Act 1998, LASPO 2012 etc.
* Knowledge of effective interventions, restorative justice practices and offending behaviour programmes to reduce offending by young people.

Essential skills and abilities:
* Ability to undertake comprehensive assessments of young people who offend (ASSET Plus) in a non-discriminatory way and to develop and implement, in partnership with other professionals, effective plans.
* Ability to negotiate and develop appropriate plans based on assessed desistance factors, risks and needs of young people, victims and local communities.
* Ability to plan and manage a caseload under pressure and apply a case management model to work with young people and their families whilst taking account how the behaviour has affected the person harmed and / or the community.
* A good knowledge of restorative practices and preferably trained in Restorative Justice Facilitation (as approved by the Restorative Justice Council).
* Effective verbal and written communication skills including the ability to prepare and present Reports.
* The ability to review, monitor and evaluate casework to ensure effective outcomes.
* Ability to self-evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities.
* Be able to professionally represent the YOS when dealing with the Police, Courts, Youth Offender Panel, partner agencies and other interested bodies.
* Ability to build good working relationships and engage young people and their families in professional and, where appropriate, sustained relationships.
* Ability to work independently and consult on complex issues.
* Ability to record information in an accurate and timely manner.
* Competent in the use of YOS Case Management Systems.
* Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-agency team, and contribute positively to supervision.
* Be adaptable and responsive to change.

Essential experience:
* Substantial recent experience of direct work with young people and their families involved in YOTs and the Youth Justice system.
* Experience of working in a multi-cultural context.

Special conditions:
* Able to work outside of normal office hours and occasional weekends.
* You must be able to travel independently around the Borough.
* Undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure prior to employment and then every three years.

Additional Requirements for Senior YOS Officer - Scale 11
Experience
* Substantial and relevant experience of working directly with young people in the Youth Justice sector or one of the partner agencies, i.e. Police, Social Services, Education, Probation, Health or a relevant voluntary sector partner agency.
* Preferably experience of supervising casual workers, volunteers etc.

Knowledge
* Knowledge of Key Elements of Effective Practice to reduce re-offending by young people and to be able to translate into practice, having obtained the Professional certificate in Effective Practice.
* Good working knowledge of legislation relevant to this post.

Skills and ability
* Able to prioritise and quality assure the work of the team by assisting in the quality assurance process of colleagues' reports and providing advice on assessments.
* Possess strong leadership skills to guide and provide supervision and support as required to sessional, student or volunteer team members
* Ability to take a practitioner lead on the promotion of YOT and project development to improve service delivery.
* Able to negotiate and develop services with internal and external agencies.
* Excellent presentation skills to promote multi agency partnership working with internal and external agencies to improve service delivery

If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV .