Youth Justice Social Worker

Job Description

Employer: Sutton Council
Location: Sutton
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full Time
Grade: 8
Hours Per Week: 36
Salary Range: £40,755 – £48,531 (up to £50,574 unconsolidated maximum)
Salary Basis: Per annum
Leave Entitlement: 28 days
Application Deadline: 16/02/2025, 23:55
Anticipated Interview Date: 05/03/2025

About Sutton Borough:
Sutton is a borough we’re incredibly proud of, both as a council and as a community. We have high resident satisfaction, deliver quality services, and are dedicated to addressing financial challenges while engaging with residents on key issues. We’re also on the rise with plans for new homes, schools, and the development of the London Cancer Hub. As a key member of the South London Partnership, we are focused on strategic growth, regeneration, and investment.

Our Ambitious for Sutton corporate plan outlines a clear vision for the future. This plan will guide how we improve services, make an impact on residents, and ensure Sutton continues to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Located in Zone 5, Sutton offers quick access to central London in under 30 minutes, with 10 train stations linking the borough to major London transport hubs and beyond.

Role Overview & Ideal Candidate:

As a key member of the Youth Justice team, you’ll work directly with young people involved in the justice system, including those who have been to court, received post-court orders, or have entered custody. Your responsibilities will include:

Meeting statutory requirements for court orders and maintaining up-to-date case notes.

Attending court on behalf of the Youth Justice team to make recommendations and produce high-quality court reports.

Conducting holistic assessments of children and families and developing intervention plans to address their needs.

Carrying out risk assessments and working with families and victims to reduce reoffending and ensure safer communities.

Managing a caseload of prevention cases, working with children on the edge of criminalization, and offering family support to build relationships and address needs.

About You:
We are seeking an individual passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. You should be comfortable engaging with resistant young people and utilizing innovative approaches to drive behavior change. The role requires a strong organizational ability, with an emphasis on high-quality report writing and adherence to service guidelines. As part of a supportive team, you’ll also be able to collaborate with colleagues and assist across different roles.

About Sutton Youth Justice Team:
The Sutton Youth Justice Team is a dynamic, child-first service that works to improve outcomes and life chances for young people and their families. We adopt a trauma-informed, relational approach that aims to build trust and encourage behavior change. As a small but specialized team, we work alongside the Adolescent Service, benefiting from the support of in-house professionals such as CAMHS workers, substance misuse specialists, speech and language therapists, school nurses, education workers, and more.

We are committed to providing ongoing development opportunities, including regular group supervision and a comprehensive training programme.

Our Offer to You:
Sutton Council is dedicated to fostering your career in a supportive, friendly, and collaborative environment. We encourage you to share ideas for improvement, and we’ll ensure that you have the resources to thrive, including modern IT infrastructure and a flexible working approach under our Smarter Working Scheme.

We offer a variety of employee benefits, including:

Generous annual leave and bank holidays

Flexi-time and up to 5 days per year of Public Health Service Flexi-time

Three volunteering days annually

Access to learning and development opportunities

Discounts for shopping, dining, and leisure activities

Interest-free season ticket loans

Local Government Pension Scheme

Subsidized gym membership

Confidential wellbeing and counselling support

Car parking, bicycle loans, and cycle-to-work schemes

Application Process:
To apply, please submit your application online, highlighting your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. The shortlisting process is anonymous to ensure fairness, with selection based on the criteria outlined in the job profile.

Please be aware that the vacancy may close early if we receive a sufficient number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Diversity and Inclusion:
Sutton Council is proud of its diverse and inclusive workforce. We are committed to attracting candidates from all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, as well as disabled applicants. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role.

Additional Information – Criminal Records:
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, meaning an appointment will be subject to a satisfactory police record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), ensuring safer recruitment practices and protecting vulnerable groups.