Youth Justice Service Practitioner

1x Full Time, Permanent
1x Full Time, Fixed Term - 12 months

This is an opportunity for professionals to join our skilled and committed team working with children in a challenging but rewarding role.  

We are recruiting to both Permanent, and 12 month Fixed Term contracts. This role sits within a linked grading structure, offering clear progression pathways based on performance and experience. Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details. Final grading will be determined following interview. 

Bristol Youth Justice Service is a multi-agency team that works with children who are in, or at risk of coming into, the youth justice system. The team works with other agencies to promote positive outcomes for children, increase safety for children and others, and provide restorative justice opportunities for victims.  

The role of the YJS Practitioner is to work collaboratively with children, their families and partner agencies to devise and deliver creative and innovative interventions that lead to positive outcomes for children, and increased safety for children and communities. This includes working with children in custodial settings as well as in the community, and in the pre court, Youth and Crown Courts. There is an opportunity to develop expertise in particular areas of practice such as harmful sexual behaviour, serious youth violence, restorative justice or addressing disproportionality. 

We are looking for skilled, committed practitioners who can build positive relationships with children, carers and partners, and who are committed to achieving these aims. 

Bristol YJS uses trauma-informed and Child First practice and works alongside partners to prevent and reduce harm outside of the home.  

This role is emotionally challenging and involves working with vulnerable children who may pose a risk to the safety of themselves or others. Regular supervision, support and training is provided.  

Please note that the role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Having read the job description and essential criteria, if you require further information please contact Dave Hathaway, YJS Service Manager, at dave.hathaway@bristol.gov.uk  

Open morning 10:00am - 12:00noon on 13th August 2026 at City Hall, College Green Bristol BS1 5TR. Drop in anytime for an informal chat about the role. This is a great opportunity to meet some of the team, ask questions, and gain insight into the varied and impactful work we do

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.