Job Title: Sessional Youth Justice Worker

Salary: C1 (pro rata) £28,598 - £31,022

Hours: As and when required (typically 2-4 hrs per week) including evenings and weekends

Contract: Sessional

Location: Leeds (various community locations)

Make a difference to children in Leeds

As a Sessional Youth Justice Worker, you’ll support children known to Leeds Youth Justice Service as they complete restorative, reparative and positive activities. You’ll build confidence, promote responsibility and help children engage positively within their communities. This role suits people who enjoy direct work with children, believe in second chances and want to contribute to safer, stronger communities.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

You will bring:

Ability to build positive relationships with children individually and in groups.
Confidence in assessing safeguarding, risk and vulnerability.
A restorative, anti‑oppressive approach that promotes fairness and participation.
Strong communication, organisation and basic IT skills.
A current driving licence and physical ability to work alongside children in community settings.

About the role

In this role, you’ll support children aged 10–18 as they complete reparation, community work and structured activities agreed within their supervision plans. You’ll encourage responsibility, build on children’s strengths and help them engage more positively in their communities.

You’ll work closely with YJS staff, families, volunteers, victims of crime and partner agencies, using a restorative and child‑centred approach. The role forms an important part of our Restorative Justice Hub, contributing to safer communities and better outcomes for children.

What we offer

Competitive salary.
Flexible sessional working arrangements.
Access to training, development and restorative practice learning.
Staff benefits to support wellbeing and finances.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Trevor Woodhouse, Operational Manager on 07891 272 531 or email trevor.woodhouse@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

To supervise and support young people as they undertake restorative and reparative or other activities as directed by the YJS as part of the Immediate Justice Programme. This will involve supervising and supporting young people to complete reparation activities in the communities in which they have caused harm and to allow them to repair this harm through meaningful activity. The sessions will take place in the evening or on weekends. Demand and workload is likely to increase during school/college holiday periods.

Responsibilities:

To provide supervision for and positively engage with young people known to the YJS both in small groups and as individuals as they carry out reparation activities in the community
To support young people in completing other restorative justice aspects of their supervision plan, both in groups and as individuals
To work in a positive and anti-oppressive manner, promoting equality and ensuring that diversity issues are addressed
To share practical skills and expertise to ensure tasks are completed to an appropriate quality, including working alongside young people and demonstrating by doing
To work in a restorative manner with young people and their families, with high challenge and high support
To assess risk in relation to safeguarding and risk of harm to others and to feed this information into formal YJS assessment processes.
To maintain effective, accurate and timely administrative systems and provide all information necessary for statistical and monitoring purposes.
To transport young people, where appropriate, to the locations where such activities may be taking place.
To ensure that Leeds City Council’s health & safety, safeguarding and information sharing procedures are adhered to at all times.
To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous development.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Youth Justice Service.
To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Departmental policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

Relationships: Sessional workers will be expected to work in restoratively with Youth Justice Service staff, victims of crime, volunteers, community groups, parents and individuals from other agencies.

Qualifications: None

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: The post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure and Barring Service. In discharging its social services function under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, Leeds Children’s Services is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975) and any applicant is obliged to disclose ALL convictions and cautions, no matter how long ago they occurred and regardless of whether the offences were committed as an adult or a juvenile.

Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.

Skills required

Ability to engage and establish constructive relationships with young people on an individual and group basis
Ability to make basic assessments regarding risk of harm, health and safety, vulnerability and safeguarding for young people
Ability to engage with members of the community in a constructive and positive manner
Ability to challenge discrimination, prejudice and oppressive behaviour and work in ways which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
Ability to work restoratively with young people and their families with high challenge and high support in order to improve their outcomes
The ability to motivate others and a positive and practical outlook
To be able to communicate clearly and accurately in person and in writing, competence in the use of computers and excellent organisational skills
A level of physical fitness commensurate with the expectation of working alongside young people undertaking reparation or other activities
Current driving licence and use of a vehicle

Knowledge required

Understanding of children’s rights and the principles of a child friendly city
Understanding of the problems of disadvantaged groups and why some people offend
Understanding of the victim’s perspective, restorative approaches and issues of public confidence
Understanding of health and safety requirements, safeguarding and risk assessment

Experience required

In working with children and young people

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required

Committed to continuous improvement.
Ability to understand and observe the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.