About us

Following the announcement by The Ministry of Justice on the launch of the Turnaround Programme, we have an exciting opportunity within the Youth Justice Service to recruit a Prevention and Diversion Support Worker on a fixed term basis until 2025. Cheshire Youth Justice Service is a high performing, nationally recognised award-winning Service.

The Turnaround Programme provides support to children and young people on the cusp of the youth justice system, working collaboratively with a range of key agencies with the aim to divert children away from offending. Building on our existing award-winning diversion programme, we are seeking a dynamic individual who will bring knowledge and understanding of holistic assessments along with experience of delivering interventions that are relationship based and trauma informed to achieve positive outcomes for children.

The role

We are looking for a passionate, creative and experienced candidate who can demonstrate tenacity and enthusiasm in making a positive difference to the lives of children in the Youth Justice Service. The post holder will be required to effectively manage a caseload of children (between the ages of 10-17), who are subject to a range of Out of Court Disposal outcomes. The ability to complete holistic assessments, develop intervention plans with children and deliver a range of interventions using a strength-based approach to support desistance are crucial.

Child First principles are at the heart of the work we do with children, young people and their care givers so the candidate should have relevant experience of working with and engaging with children and their families and have a clear understanding of some of the complex issues affecting children. Risk management, public safety and safeguarding are fundamental to our work and the successful candidate needs to be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of these requirements as they are integral to the post being offered.

If you are passionate about working with children and young people and have a creative approach to direct work, this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something new and innovative.

The Youth Justice Service is committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable and flexible workforce. The post holder will work across the Cheshire footprint, with an established base being Municipal Buildings in Widnes but hybrid and flexible working including from home and other bases across Cheshire is a key feature of this role. Our technology platform and equipment enable staff to connect and collaborate remotely, so that a healthy work-life balance can be achieved.

All posts within the Youth Justice Service are exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

If you have any questions regarding this post or would like an information discussion about the role, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Green 07717225072 or Angela Iball 07900 894089.

Key dates

Closing date: 30 April 2024