Advanced Practitioner (Operational Lead) Youth Justice Service
Grade 9 £56,058 - £60,393pa + £4000 Market Supplement

The London Borough of Havering is seeking an outstanding Advanced Practitioner (Operational Manager) to join our Youth Justice Service. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Youth Justice professional who is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children, reducing offending, safeguarding vulnerable young people and strengthening families.

As the Operational Lead within the Youth Justice Service, you will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the team, ensuring high-quality service delivery, effective performance management and compliance with statutory requirements. You will combine operational leadership with advanced practice expertise, supporting practitioners to deliver outstanding interventions and achieve the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families.(To be input by Manager) > Salary

About the Role

As the Advanced Practitioner and Operational Lead for the Youth Justice Service, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the operational delivery of the service, ensuring that children and young people receive effective, timely and outcome-focused interventions.

Working alongside the Team Manager, you will provide professional leadership across the service, lead practice improvement, oversee complex casework and support the delivery of strategic and operational priorities.

You will:

Act as the operational lead for the Youth Justice Service, ensuring the effective day-to-day management and delivery of the service.
Provide advanced practice leadership and professional guidance to practitioners across the team.
Support the Team Manager in the operational oversight of workloads, performance, quality assurance and service development.
Lead on complex, high-risk and high-profile cases, providing oversight, challenge and direction where required.
Chair meetings, such as Risk Management Panel, Out of Court Disposal Panel and Team Meetings if required
Ensure statutory responsibilities and Youth Justice Board requirements are met.
Drive improvements in practice standards, performance and outcomes for children and young people.
Promote child-first, trauma-informed and restorative approaches throughout the service.
Develop and maintain effective partnerships with Police, Probation, Education, Health, Children's Social Care and community organisations.
Coach, mentor and develop practitioners to strengthen practice and workforce capability.
Contribute to quality assurance, auditing, inspection readiness and service improvement activity.

About You

You will be an experienced Youth Justice professional with substantial experience within a Local Authority Youth Justice Service, have line management experience, and a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes for children, young people and families.

Essential Requirements

You must have:

A recognised Social Work Degree
Current registration with Social Work England.
Significant experience working within a Local Authority Youth Justice Service.
Line Management experience
A proven track record of delivering effective Youth Justice interventions and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Experience of leading practice and providing operational oversight within a multi-agency environment.
Strong knowledge of Youth Justice legislation, National Standards, safeguarding frameworks and youth justice interventions.
Experience of managing complex, high-risk and multi-agency cases.
Strong leadership, decision-making and performance management skills.
Experience of coaching, mentoring and developing practitioners.
Excellent analytical, assessment, communication and report-writing skills

Please view Job Profile here

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Jermaine.Kittoe@havering.gov.uk

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 10/10/26 however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed

Should you require any help or advice with your online application, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk on 01708 432770

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.

The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

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