Senior Social Worker/Practitioner Youth Justice Services
| Posting date: | 03 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £42,839 to £48,226 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 June 2026 |
| Location: | Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | North Somerset Council |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | SCHA1032 |
Summary
This is a fixed term role for 12 months to cover maternity leave. You will operate as a senior lead professional qualified worker within Children’s Services, providing professional support and advice, continuous professional development to other team members. Promote excellence in case management and services delivered within the Youth Justice and Prevention service with a current focus in the Youth Justice team. Maintain a caseload of children. Manage and supervise statutory work and other staff, including their workload and professional development and practice. Develop and maintain effective arrangements, and advocate for the Service, across North Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and other partners. To represent the Service at multi-agency meetings and in other circumstances as required. Ability to offer support to the wider Youth Justice and Prevention Service as required including provision of supervision to staff working with children /parents/carers/victims. A key element of this role is supporting the Team Manager to manage the out of court panel, court meetings and develop rota’s for both duty and court officers. Senior Practitioners form part of the YJS Duty Management rota so the role does involve some occasional evening and weekend work.
Key Responsibilities:
Hold a caseload of children with more complex needs.
Provide professional consultation, direction and support to team members on casework and be a role model for best practice.
Support the team manager and colleagues to ensure legal and quality standards are maintained, including audits.
Undertake supervision of others and support their professional development including developing competencies to improve performance.
Undertake a specialist role withing the team and develop expertise in key areas, for example as an accredited practice educator, HSB work, lead professional link with partner agencies.
About You
Candidates applying for this Senior Practitioner role will need to have strong experience of youth justice practice and be highly conversant in youth justice knowledge, practice frameworks, legislation and guidance. We are looking for a practitioner able to pick up a complex and varied caseload, attend Magistrates and Crown Courts, write both community and custody-level Pre-Sentence Reports and work with children on remand or sentenced in the secure estate. We are looking for a practitioner who has experience of leading on specific practice areas or projects and who is able to demonstrate positive role-modelling and leadership skills for the wider team. Experience of supervising/mentoring other members of staff is desirable. Our Senior Practitioners will often be the 'first port of call' for the team and for partners and so we are looking for candidates who embody our Child First values, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, competence in dynamic problem-solving, confidence in making defensible decisions, and self-awareness in knowing what and when to escalate for further support. We are looking for an individual who is passionate about supporting vulnerable children at risk of escalation within the criminal justice system and who possesses the following skills and experience, you have;
Essential Criteria:
An approved professional qualification working with children and young people (e.g. social work, teaching, probation, youth and community work or health or similar) to a degree level or equivalent.
Substantial relevant experience of working with vulnerable children with complex needs.
The ability to manage and organise your own work and that of colleagues to meet agreed deadlines.
An understanding of financial constraints and monitoring budgets
Skills to engage with children, carry out assessments and to develop intervention plans facilitate positive outcomes.
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding protocols and the impact of crime, anti-social behaviour on children and their families/carers.
You are a reflective practitioner, confident working across agencies and as part of a team and have an innovative and enthusiastic approach.
Desirable Criteria:
Previous experience in line managing staff and or mentoring colleagues.
Experience of leading on specific practice areas or projects and who is able to demonstrate positive role-modelling and leadership skills for the wider team.
Interview Date: Thursday 09 July 2026
Key Responsibilities:
Hold a caseload of children with more complex needs.
Provide professional consultation, direction and support to team members on casework and be a role model for best practice.
Support the team manager and colleagues to ensure legal and quality standards are maintained, including audits.
Undertake supervision of others and support their professional development including developing competencies to improve performance.
Undertake a specialist role withing the team and develop expertise in key areas, for example as an accredited practice educator, HSB work, lead professional link with partner agencies.
About You
Candidates applying for this Senior Practitioner role will need to have strong experience of youth justice practice and be highly conversant in youth justice knowledge, practice frameworks, legislation and guidance. We are looking for a practitioner able to pick up a complex and varied caseload, attend Magistrates and Crown Courts, write both community and custody-level Pre-Sentence Reports and work with children on remand or sentenced in the secure estate. We are looking for a practitioner who has experience of leading on specific practice areas or projects and who is able to demonstrate positive role-modelling and leadership skills for the wider team. Experience of supervising/mentoring other members of staff is desirable. Our Senior Practitioners will often be the 'first port of call' for the team and for partners and so we are looking for candidates who embody our Child First values, have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, competence in dynamic problem-solving, confidence in making defensible decisions, and self-awareness in knowing what and when to escalate for further support. We are looking for an individual who is passionate about supporting vulnerable children at risk of escalation within the criminal justice system and who possesses the following skills and experience, you have;
Essential Criteria:
An approved professional qualification working with children and young people (e.g. social work, teaching, probation, youth and community work or health or similar) to a degree level or equivalent.
Substantial relevant experience of working with vulnerable children with complex needs.
The ability to manage and organise your own work and that of colleagues to meet agreed deadlines.
An understanding of financial constraints and monitoring budgets
Skills to engage with children, carry out assessments and to develop intervention plans facilitate positive outcomes.
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding protocols and the impact of crime, anti-social behaviour on children and their families/carers.
You are a reflective practitioner, confident working across agencies and as part of a team and have an innovative and enthusiastic approach.
Desirable Criteria:
Previous experience in line managing staff and or mentoring colleagues.
Experience of leading on specific practice areas or projects and who is able to demonstrate positive role-modelling and leadership skills for the wider team.
Interview Date: Thursday 09 July 2026
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