Salary: £36,363 - £39,862 per annum
Location: Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Wokingham
Contract: Contract
Working Pattern: Full Time/Evenings/Weekends
Hours: 37 hours per week. Some evening work or weekend work may be required occasionally..
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 11/09/2025 at 23:00
Reference: REC2410220
We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Youth Justice Worker to join our Prevention and Youth Justice Service (PYJS) here at Wokingham Borough Council on a full time, 12 months fixed term contract. The service has been rated Good, with outstanding features by HM Inspectorate of Probation and is within the Quadrant 1 of Outstanding practice from the Youth Justice Board.
Collaborating as leading partners with the Thames Valley Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP), we will be delivering a Focused Diversion Programme in Wokingham. Within this programme, we are recruiting for the Navigator role.
Benefits:
Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
- A generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days (rising to 33 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays
- Enrolment to an excellent local government pension scheme
- An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
- A range of local & lifestyle discounts
- Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
- Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
- And much more!
Key Responsibilities:
- Meeting with children (your cohort may include up to 30 children at any one time) to support them to access and engage with mentoring and support
- Making referrals to ‘evidence-based support services’ as based on the needs, wants and interests of a young person.
- Obtain and report on children's school/education engagement
- Keep accurate and timely records using the ‘Focused Diversion Case Management and Reporting Document’ to meet monthly reporting deadlines.
Candidate Requirements:
- There is an essential requirement for this role to have a qualification in Social Work, Probation Services or Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (PCEP). Consideration for candidates without qualification will only be on the basis of them being currently employed as a youth justice worker in another service and to have held that post for a minimum of 6 months. Candidates that do not meet this essential requirement will not be shortlisted.
- You are knowledgable about the Child First framework, trauma informed approaches, relevant criminal youth justice legislation, National Standards for Children in Youth Justice and Youth Justice Board best practice guidance.
- You are familiar with Restorative Justice and the support that victims of crime need.
- You can relate and engage with children and families, who have often experienced trauma.
- You have experience of working with partners to improve outcomes for children.
Due to the requirements of the role, candidates will require a full driving licence and use of vehicle for business use.
Our Area:
Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, click the link below and apply today!
Alternatively, for an informal discussion please contact: Bea Nigolian, Hiring Manager Job Title at [email protected]
Closing date: Thursday 11th September 2025, 11pm
Interview date: will take place on Thursday 18th September between 9am-5pm ONLY at the PYJS office in Wokingham Town Centre.
There will be no option for virtual interviews. Applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted on Friday 12th September 2025.
Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful. Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
