Restorative Justice Worker
Fixed Term, Full Time
Location: Colchester
Closing Date: Sunday 27th April 2025 at 11.59pm
Please note that this is a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment opportunity for a period of 18 months.
Here in Essex, we continue to raise the bar about practice and our investment in our workforce is second to none. It's an exciting time to join us having received our 2nd Outstanding Ofsted rating in a row.
The Opportunity
Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners, we deliver a range of early help, family support, and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers, and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
Role Overview
Essex Youth Justice Service works with young people aged 10-17 who have offended and are subject to both pre and post court disposals. The Restorative Justice (RJ) Worker will be responsible for statutory delivery of RJ interventions to victims and young people, including sensitive and complex cases, full victim/offender conferencing, and supervision of Direct Reparation to victims.
Accountabilities
1. Facilitate and deliver all RJ interventions with young people and victims, ensuring adherence to the Victim Code of Conduct and principles of restorative justice, in line with Essex Youth Justice Service policies.
2. Conduct statutory Victim Contact to gather victims' views and facilitate interventions, representing the victim's voice within the service, including in complex cases.
3. Organise and deliver direct victim/offender conferences in the community and within young offender institutions where appropriate.
4. Deliver victim awareness programmes to young people to foster empathy and understanding of the impact of crime.
5. Co-deliver Restorative Justice training with partners and the community to reduce reoffending and first-time entrants.
6. Complete risk assessments for all restorative activities to ensure safety, using professional skills and knowledge.
7. Ensure the safety of young people at all times, exercising appropriate duty of care.
8. Maintain accurate records meeting national standards and service outcomes.
9. Identify and report safeguarding issues, demonstrating understanding of child protection policies.
Experience and Qualifications
1. Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience. Accredited Practitioner status or willingness to attain it.
2. Evidence of ongoing professional development aligned with relevant frameworks.
3. Sound knowledge of Restorative Justice and its application in a justice environment. Understanding of anti-discriminatory practice.
4. Experience working directly with children and young people, promoting their welfare, and understanding Child Protection procedures.
5. Experience managing victim/offender conferences successfully.
6. Deep knowledge of social services and agency resources to promote children's safety and well-being.
7. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with accurate record-keeping and understanding of data protection.
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