Senior Social Worker 

Service: Youth Justice Service (YJS)
Reports to: Team Manager / Deputy Team Manager
Responsible for: Supporting the delivery of effective youth justice practice, complex casework and professional development within the team.

One Avenue Road, Aston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B6 4DU

 Job Purpose

To support the Team Manager and Deputy Team Manager in delivering an effective, high-quality Youth Justice Service that responds to the individual needs of children and young people who are at risk of offending or who have offended, and their families.

The postholder will contribute to reducing and preventing further offending, promoting positive outcomes for children and young people, safeguarding their welfare, and supporting their personal development and successful integration into their communities.

The role will involve undertaking complex casework, developing areas of specialist knowledge and expertise, contributing to service improvement and quality assurance, and providing professional guidance and support to colleagues. The postholder will also support the effective management of team operations and deputise for managers when required.

 Key Duties and Responsibilities

 Casework and Service Delivery

• Undertake complex casework as allocated, ensuring that assessments, interventions and plans are proportionate, evidence-based and responsive to the individual needs, risks and circumstances of children and young people.

• Work directly with children, young people and their families to address the factors associated with offending, reduce the risk of reoffending and promote positive behavioural change.

• Ensure that casework is delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, organisational policies, safeguarding procedures and Youth Justice Service standards.

• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date case records, ensuring that all documentation meets required professional and organisational standards.

• Undertake regular checks of case records and service user information to promote compliance, accountability and effective case management.

• Lead or assist in the management of high-profile, complex or sensitive cases, ensuring that risks are appropriately identified, escalated and managed.

• Chair meetings, reviews and planning discussions with children, young people and their families, as required.

• Represent the Youth Justice Service at multi-agency meetings, strategy meetings and other professional forums, ensuring that relevant information is shared appropriately and that the service's responsibilities are effectively represented.

 Leadership and Operational Support

• Assist the Team Manager and Deputy Team Manager in the effective day-to-day operation of the service and the delivery of agreed team objectives.

• Support the monitoring and review of team workloads, case allocation and service performance to promote effective resource management and timely service delivery.

• Contribute to the monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), identifying areas for improvement and supporting the implementation of actions to improve performance.

• Support managers in addressing operational issues, resolving practice concerns and maintaining continuity of service delivery.

• Deputise for the Team Manager or Deputy Team Manager during periods of absence, as delegated, providing appropriate operational leadership and professional oversight.

• Lead or assist with specific service development initiatives, projects and areas of practice improvement as required.

 Quality Assurance and Service Improvement

• Lead or contribute to quality assurance activities, case audits, thematic reviews, practice evaluations and service improvement initiatives, as appropriate.

• Identify strengths, gaps and areas of concern in practice and contribute to the development and implementation of improvement plans.

• Promote consistent, high-quality and evidence-based practice across the Youth Justice Service.

• Contribute to the review and development of policies, procedures, guidance and working practices to improve service effectiveness and outcomes for children and young people.

• Support the use of performance information, case management data and feedback from service users to inform service planning and continuous improvement.

 Specialist Practice and Programme Development

• Develop and maintain specialist knowledge and expertise in designated areas of Youth Justice Service practice to enhance professional capability and improve service delivery.

• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, research, emerging practice and evidence-based approaches within youth justice.

• Work in consultation with managers and colleagues to identify the needs of children and young people and develop appropriate individual interventions and group-work programmes.

• Contribute to the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of interventions designed to address offending-related behaviour, promote positive change and reduce reoffending.

• Share specialist knowledge and learning with colleagues to support the development of consistent and effective practice across the team.

 Partnership Working and Multi-Agency Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with children, young people, families, colleagues and partner agencies to deliver coordinated and effective interventions.

• Develop and maintain constructive working relationships with relevant statutory, voluntary and community organisations.

• Contribute to multi-agency planning, information sharing and joint decision-making to promote the safety, welfare and positive outcomes of children and young people.

• Ensure that partnership working is undertaken in accordance with relevant information-sharing protocols, safeguarding requirements and confidentiality standards.

• Promote the participation of children, young people and their families in decisions affecting them, recognising their individual needs, strengths and circumstances.

 Staff Support, Induction and Development

• Assist in the induction of new staff, ensuring that they understand relevant service procedures, professional standards and operational requirements.

• Provide technical and professional guidance to less experienced colleagues, supporting the development of their knowledge, skills and confidence.

• Contribute to team meetings, reflective practice sessions, training events and professional development activities.

• Participate in relevant training and continuing professional development to maintain and enhance professional competence.

• Share learning, good practice and specialist knowledge to support a positive learning culture within the Youth Justice Service.

 Training, Team Development and Performance

• Actively contribute to the development and improvement of the team and the wider service.

• Participate in service planning, performance reviews and development activities designed to improve the quality and effectiveness of youth justice provision.

• Support the implementation of agreed service priorities and organisational objectives.

• Contribute to the identification of staff development needs and opportunities for improving team capability.

• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and responsibilities of the post, as reasonably required by the Team Manager or Deputy Team Manager.

 General Responsibilities

The postholder will be expected to:

• Promote the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and act in accordance with relevant safeguarding policies and procedures.

• Uphold equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of service delivery.

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable data protection legislation and information governance requirements.

• Work in accordance with organisational policies, professional standards, health and safety requirements and relevant legislative frameworks.

• Demonstrate professional integrity, accountability, sound judgement and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Promote a child-centred, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to working with children, young people and their families.