Prevention Officer
| Posting date: | 23 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £33,699 to £39,152 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 May 2026 |
| Location: | Reading |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Reading Borough Council |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | DOC0069 |
Summary
x2 37 hours, 23 months fixed term contract
We are looking for a passionate and committed Prevention Officer to join our Youth Justice Service, working directly with children and young people who are at risk of entering the youth justice system.
This role is all about early intervention and prevention. You will build trusted relationships with children, families and partners, using strengths-based, child-first approaches to support positive outcomes and divert young people away from offending and stigma.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
In this role, you’ll work directly with children who are at risk of entering the youth justice system, offering timely, child‑first interventions to them and their families that focus on prevention, positive identity and long‑term outcomes.
You’ll act as a trusted professional at key moments in a child’s life, building strong relationships with young people, families and partner agencies, and ensuring the child’s voice shapes everything you do.
Key responsibilities will include:
Carrying out assessments for children’s needs, risks, safety and wellbeing using Youth Justice Board–approved tools
Delivering targeted, evidence‑based interventions through one‑to‑one and small group work
Working as a key worker to develop outcome‑focused plans and support meaningful, sustained change
Engaging children with complex needs, including those who may be reluctant to work with services
Supporting early identification and prevention of offending and serious violence
You’ll also work closely with families, schools, police and partner services to provide wrap‑around, preventative support. This includes acting as an Appropriate Adult in PACE interviews, working with children in police custody at teachable moments, and contributing to a whole‑family approach that keeps children and victims safe.
About you
You’re passionate about supporting children and young people to thrive, and you believe strongly in seeing children as children. You bring empathy, persistence and professionalism to your work and are confident balancing supportive relationships with clear boundaries. You’ll bring relevant experience and the ability to work effectively in a pressured, multi‑agency environment, with a strong commitment to inclusive and anti‑discriminatory practice.
You’ll ideally have:
A relevant qualification (such as Youth Work or NVQ Level 4) or equivalent professional experience
Significant experience working with young people, including those involved in or at risk of the justice system
Experience of completing assessments, developing plans and delivering targeted interventions
The ability to engage confidently with children and families who may be resistant to support
Experience of multi‑agency working and information sharing
You’ll also be organised, adaptable and self‑motivated, able to manage a caseload effectively while working both independently and as part of a supportive team. A commitment to continuous professional development and helping improve outcomes for children in Reading is essential.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: 6th May
Interview Date: 15th May
Interview Process: Panel interview and assessed tasks
We are looking for a passionate and committed Prevention Officer to join our Youth Justice Service, working directly with children and young people who are at risk of entering the youth justice system.
This role is all about early intervention and prevention. You will build trusted relationships with children, families and partners, using strengths-based, child-first approaches to support positive outcomes and divert young people away from offending and stigma.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
In this role, you’ll work directly with children who are at risk of entering the youth justice system, offering timely, child‑first interventions to them and their families that focus on prevention, positive identity and long‑term outcomes.
You’ll act as a trusted professional at key moments in a child’s life, building strong relationships with young people, families and partner agencies, and ensuring the child’s voice shapes everything you do.
Key responsibilities will include:
Carrying out assessments for children’s needs, risks, safety and wellbeing using Youth Justice Board–approved tools
Delivering targeted, evidence‑based interventions through one‑to‑one and small group work
Working as a key worker to develop outcome‑focused plans and support meaningful, sustained change
Engaging children with complex needs, including those who may be reluctant to work with services
Supporting early identification and prevention of offending and serious violence
You’ll also work closely with families, schools, police and partner services to provide wrap‑around, preventative support. This includes acting as an Appropriate Adult in PACE interviews, working with children in police custody at teachable moments, and contributing to a whole‑family approach that keeps children and victims safe.
About you
You’re passionate about supporting children and young people to thrive, and you believe strongly in seeing children as children. You bring empathy, persistence and professionalism to your work and are confident balancing supportive relationships with clear boundaries. You’ll bring relevant experience and the ability to work effectively in a pressured, multi‑agency environment, with a strong commitment to inclusive and anti‑discriminatory practice.
You’ll ideally have:
A relevant qualification (such as Youth Work or NVQ Level 4) or equivalent professional experience
Significant experience working with young people, including those involved in or at risk of the justice system
Experience of completing assessments, developing plans and delivering targeted interventions
The ability to engage confidently with children and families who may be resistant to support
Experience of multi‑agency working and information sharing
You’ll also be organised, adaptable and self‑motivated, able to manage a caseload effectively while working both independently and as part of a supportive team. A commitment to continuous professional development and helping improve outcomes for children in Reading is essential.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: 6th May
Interview Date: 15th May
Interview Process: Panel interview and assessed tasks
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.