Introduction
Local government youth offending teams work with young people,
aged mainly between 10 and 18 years old, who are at various stages
within the criminal justice system. A youth offending team
within a local council identifies the needs of young offenders and
investigates the specific problems that make them offend, in order
to try and prevent them from committing crimes. Local
government youth offending team officers might also be known as
youth justice officers, or youth offending team social
workers.
Work Environment
Local government youth offending team officers work in a variety
of settings such as offices, courts, detention and training
centres, police stations, youth clubs and young offenders'
homes. Hours are usually a standard 37 per week during normal
office hours, but there may be some requirement to work during the
evening and or at weekends.
Daily Activities
In England and Wales, youth offending teams are made up of range
of staff representing different council departments and other
external agencies, for example, children and young people's
services, the police, the health service, the probation service,
and education welfare. The main role of a local government
youth offending team officer is to work with young offenders, their
families and victims to prevent offending and resolve offences with
all concerned. They may be involved in some or all of the
following duties;
- carrying out assessments of young offenders and identifying
their needs;
- devising action plans to support young offenders and address
the identified needs;
- challenging young offenders' attitudes and helping them
understand the effect their behaviour has on others, particularly
the victim;
- undertaking pre-court interventions to establish, where
possible, a mutually acceptable offence resolution between the
offender and the victim;
- preparing pre-sentence reports, which includes researching a
young person's background and talking with them and their
family;
- supervising young people on court orders and community
sentences and helping them avoid re-offending;
- encouraging young offenders to take part in constructive
activities such as the Prince's Trust, or helping them get a job or
on to a training course;
- liaising with colleagues in the youth offending team and with
partner organisations;
- writing up reports, collating statistical information and
maintaining confidential records appropriately.
Skills & Abilities
Local government youth offending team officers need:
- communication skills and the ability to build good
relationships with young people and their families;
- some knowledge of the legal system;
- confidence and assertiveness in order to deal with challenging
behaviour;
- report writing skills;
- to be non-judgmental and fair in their treatment of and
attitude towards young offenders.
Entry Requirements
Local council employers may accept a range of qualifications and
experience for youth offending team officer positions, such as a
degree or diploma in social work, a degree or diploma in youth and
community studies or youth work, or another relevant professional
qualification. A teaching qualification might also be
acceptable.
The national youth justice qualifications framework developed by
the Youth Justice Board provides a range of professional
qualifications designed to support those working at a range of
levels within youth justice. These include:
- the Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (Youth
Justice);
- foundation degrees;
- the Youth Justice Gateway Programme, which includes the
following access routes: Juvenile Awareness Staff Programme,
Advanced Apprenticeships, Effective Practice Mini Award, Study
Skills course;
- Effective Practice In-Service Training.
The Open University run a foundation degree in youth justice for
those currently employed in the youth justice sector, volunteers or
those planning to work in this field. Previous experience of
working with children and young people and some knowledge of the
youth justice system would be an advantage. There may be
opportunities to gain experience working with young people within
the youth justice system through volunteering. Opportunities
might include working as an appropriate adult, a mentor, a
magistrate, or a range of other roles.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There is a clear progression route for those working within a
local council's youth offending team by gaining relevant
qualifications within the national youth justice qualifications
framework. More experienced youth offending team workers can
become senior practitioners or move into supervisory posts such as
youth offending team leader/manager. There are often
opportunities to specialise in particular areas of work, such as
bail and remand, working with prolific offenders, youth crime
prevention, education and training, or substance misuse. With
appropriate training, there might also be opportunities to move
into other areas of children and young people's services, such as
social work and education welfare.
Further Information & Services
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Health & Care Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
National Council for Voluntary Youth Services www.ncvys.org.uk
National Offender Management Service www.justice.gov.uk/about/noms
National Youth Agency www.nya.org.uk
Youth Justice Board www.yjb.gov.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.