Practice Managers - Youth Justice

• South - including Watford, Three Rivers & Hertsmere (contractual base Apsley, Hemel Hempstead)
• North - including Stevenage and North Herts (contractual based Farnham House, Stevenage)

• Provide effective leadership, case management, supervision, and performance management to Youth Justice staff, including Social Workers, Adolescent Practitioners, and specialist and seconded staff from partner agencies.
• Represent, and on occasions Chair the Youth Diversion Panel, ensuring robust interventions are in place to facilitate positive change and maintain safety for children and communities.
• Liaise with relevant statutory and voluntary agencies to exchange, provide, gather, collate, and evaluate information and data, fostering effective communication and collaboration.
• Develop partnerships and liaise with wider Children’s Services and partner agencies to promote the ‘child first’ agenda positive outcomes for children in the Youth Justice system.
• Lead on a designated portfolio area such as in-house Appropriate Adult Scheme, equity & diversity or participation.
• Conduct regular quality assurance activities, including case file audits, AssetPlus assessments, Pre-Sentence and Breach reports, ensuring adherence to timelines and preparation for HMIP inspections of Youth Justice services.

• Qualified Social Worker and current registration with Social Work England.
• Current, working knowledge of legislation relevant to the role.
• Understanding and experience of management oversight of Youth Justice assessment (AssetPlus) and risk management processes.
• Experience of quality assurance processes including routine auditing, gatekeeping of reports, National Standards for Youth Justice and HMIP inspection frameworks.
• Experience of using Youth Justice case management e.g. ChildView.
• Strong IT, organisation and communication skills are essential in managing competing demands, maintaining accurate recording on systems, working alongside statutory agencies and wider partners, meeting deadlines and statutory standards and requirements.
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective partnerships with Police, Courts, Health, Probation, Children Services, Secure estate, Youth Justice Board, other Youth Offending services.
• Able to identify key priorities, work effectively under pressure and meet identified deadlines.
• Able to work flexibly, including evenings where required and undertake Saturday / bank holiday Manager duty as part of a rota.
• You will be required to travel so a driving licence and access to a vehicle for work is essential.

• Experience of the Court work including liaising with magistrates and Court User groups and report quality assurance.
• Management experience of supervising staff working with children subject to Out of Court and statutory Court Orders, enabling practitioners to function effectively through clear decision making and use of appropriate processes.
• Experience of undertaking research and producing complex reports or documents.
• Experience of interpreting and analysing the impact of legislation and policy on service delivery.

Hertfordshire County Council