NORFOLK YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST TITLE:

YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM – EDUCATION WORKER

RESPONSIBLE TO:

UNIT MANAGER - YOUTH OFFENDING TEAM

1. JOB PURPOSE

To act as a member of the Youth Offending Team and contribute fully to the duties of the team in line with the priorities set out in the Annual Plan.

The Youth Offending Team is a corporate multi-agency service whose purpose is to reduce offending by young people and to address the causes of youth offending.

2. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATING FOR ALL YOT STAFF.

2.1 Community Safety

Liase with children's and youth organisations to raise awareness and encourage appropriate co-operation
Maintain links and work with local community safety forums
Be aware of and link with relevant community safety initiatives and advise on the issues of youth offending and broader preventative framework
Contribute to the setting up of appropriate and effective communication networks with local communities that consult and inform

2.2 Diversion

Contribute to the identification of vulnerable young people and their families
Liase with partner agencies in developing pro-active strategies to target potentially at risk young people
Provide information, support and advice to schools, youth groups, family centres, health professionals and community safety partnerships to assist with developing effective preventative measures
Advise and contribute to the servicing of anti-social behaviour orders
Advise and contribute to the servicing of Family Case Conferences and voluntary programmes

2.3 Court Process

Provision of appropriate adult service
Provide bail support and supervision in line with National Standards
Provide a service to the Youth Courts
Prepare court reports in line with national Standards

2.4 Supervision

Provide supervision for the full range of sentences available to the court in line with National Standards
Undertake ASSET assessments as required by National Standards
Work with Juvenile Secure Estate
Provide post custody supervision
Manage a caseload under the supervision of the Youth Offending Team Manager, with due regard to statutory requirements, Social Services Department policy and professional practice
In line with Youth Offending Team procedures:
Maintain full and accurate offender records
Provide reports and complete statutory forms
Participate in case reviews/conferences
To collaborate and develop links with colleagues from other statutory and independent agencies
Maintain knowledge and keep abreast of changes in policy and practice and relevant legislation

2.5 Organisational Tasks

Participate in regular supervision, staff development and training as appropriate to ensure an effective service is provided
Undertake the supervision of students or other staff, as applicable
To incorporate Equal Opportunities policy and anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of work
Take a full part in team and practice meetings
Make full use of the YOIS case management system

2.6 General

While the emphasis is on all team members playing a full and corporate role within a multi-agency setting, members will bring particular skills and experience from parent agencies that will enrich the team. Members from particular agencies may therefore provide expertise in particular aspects of the duties and responsibilities.

Education staff should expect to provide expertise and have a lead role in:

a) Assisting young offenders and those at risk of offending to sustain educational engagement or make other arrangements to meet their literacy, numeracy or other educational or training needs;

b) Advising on education issues within the work of youth offending teams and liaising with schools and with other education colleagues, including concerning the provision of information for court reports;

c) Linking with local youth agencies to establish appropriate projects that encourage young people to take part in positive life experiences;

This job description sets out the major duties associated with the stated purpose of the post. It is assumed that the other duties of a similar level/nature undertaken within the section are not excluded simply because they are not itemised.

The duties of the post could vary from time to time as a result of new legislation, changes in technology or policy changes and in that case appropriate training may be given to enable the post holder to undertake this new/varied work.