This is an exciting opportunity as a Policy and Development Officer based in the Effective Practice and QA team to lead on the ongoing integration and alignment of our Youth Justice Service within Children and Families Early Help. Working alongside Barbara Merrygold (Head of Early Help with responsibility for Youth Justice Service), Andy Dukes(Team Manager Youth Justice Service) and Jo Miles (Principal Social Worker, the post line manager).

The post will lead on the preparation for future HMIP  inspections whilst further enhancing alignment of our  practice and processes across Children and Families Service embedding both our North Yorkshire Youth Justice Alternative Prevention and Diversion Assessment (My Assessment Plan)  and our Strength and Relationships Practice tools within the new case management system. 

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation, to lead and develop practice and system approaches to strengthen support for children on the edge of or entering the criminal justice system and  their families.  We want to ensure that children and young people entering this service and their families get the support they need, at the right time, in the right place and by the right person.   Ensuring that the whole Early Help workforce is appropriately trained and provided with the right guidance, systems, tools and resources to work meaningfully, effectively and proportionately with children and their families, so that their needs are met in a timely way and their experiences of Early Help (including Youth Justice) is positive. 

The MAPS assessment has been developed alongside Youth Justice Practitioners, Practice Managers and the team managers and with involvement/participation from children and young people and parents/carers as appropriate. We want to ensure that the new Youth Justice Inspection Framework is fully understood across Early Help and the wider Children and Families Service whilst continuing to drive the Child First approach to ensure that families can trust that their child’s worker is knowledgeable and that there is fair and equitable access to support regardless of which team their child is supported by. 

It will be essential that you have clear knowledge and understanding of practice and legislation in relation to the Youth Justice, all inspection frameworks that apply to children’s services, NYSCP and associated QA activities that evidence best practice. We are looking for a motivated, passionate and creative individual who is not afraid of new ideas, thinking or approaches.

There will be an expectation of working systemically through all aspects of social care for children on the edge of or involved in criminal activity, from Early Help, Child in Need, Child Protection and Children in Care, Leaving Care and Transitions to adulthood with Health and Adult Services.  These children and young people and their families deserve the best approach we can offer. NYC are dedicated to working with the Youth Justice board, and partner agencies to ensure that the child first approach is fully embedded within our practice when working with these children. 

If you would like an informal discussion about the role and the service then please contact Joanna Miles Principal Social Worker on Joanna.Miles@northyorks.gov.uk or Barbara Merrygold Held of Service - Early Help on Barbara.Merrygold@northyorks.gov.uk

Key documents:

 Job description.pdf

 Total Rewards Brochure

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.