Job Introduction
This post is a 2-year Fixed Term Contract.
Introduction
Milton Keynes is a rapidly expanding, vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and play. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with Milton Keynes Council. So if you're looking for an excellent benefits package and the chance to make a difference, make a move to Milton Keynes Council. With modern working practices where flexibility is commonplace and performance is measured on outcomes and results, alongside a generous holiday entitlement, you can experience a fulfilling job and great work-life balance.
Please note that this role is only open to applicants who have the right to work in the UK.
This is a pivotal role in the work of the Youth Offending Team (YOT) responsible for working in a multi-agency / multi-disciplinary team to ensure that children at risk of or who have become involved in offending , their parents / carers and those directly affected by their behaviour (including identified victims) are effectively safeguarded and supported enabling them to lead positive lives that keep them safe. The Youth Offending Service (YOS) has recently changed as part of a wider restructure bringing together other key services including the Multi- agency Missing and Exploitation Hub (ME Hub) , the Stay Safe Team (Youth :MK) and the Young People’s Drug and Alcohol (YPDA) Team to join the Youth Offending Team in providing a broader based cohesive service that can focus on key areas that directly impact upon young people’s lives and the wider community.
This post will primarily focus on managing a caseload of young people who are supported by the Early Support Project (ESP), our Youth Diversion and Prevention Service. Young people may have received an informal outcome from the Police or have been referred to the service due to concerns around the early onset of offending, knife crime, gang membership or concerning associations, county lines and child exploitation.
The caseload will require the post-holder to manage competing priorities and demands for complex young people who are likely to present with a variety of risk and need factors. The role includes close partnership working with the wider YOS team and professional colleagues in Police ; Children Social Care ; Probation ; Health ; Education .
Main Responsibility
Key Duties
• To ensure that the likelihood of offending and risk of harm to others is reduced by effective assessment, risk management and intervention in line with criminal justice, children’s and other relevant legislation and in accordance with National Standards, Government guidance and local policy.
• To ensure that all children who are offending or at risk of offending are safeguarded and their well being is promoted effectively, in line with national legislation and policy, enabling them to live safely within their family wherever possible
• To work in partnership with key agencies, ensuring collaboration and information sharing for the benefit of the child or young person, victims of crime and the community at large and provide a quality youth justice service to the criminal courts as required by legislation and national standards
Experience, Qualifications and any Mandatory Requirements
• Recognised qualification and substantial experience gained in Social Work, Policing, Education, Youth Work, Youth Justice / Criminal Justice or Health relevant setting. Skills and knowledge in listening to children and adults, in observation and in carrying out assessments and plans addressing risks and needs. Expert knowledge of criminal justice legislation and guidance and person centred anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.
Skills Required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and good IT skills with the ability to complete and present holistic assessments to assess likelihood of offending, risk of harm to others and risks to children and young people’s safety and wellbeing . This includes the requirement to analyse, summarise and write / record relevant information clearly and concisely so that it is easily understood by service users and colleagues.
• Able to manage own work, prioritise, plan and use time efficiently and to take responsibility for co-ordinating designated areas of the service including planned work of others , with the flexibility and ability to support other staff when need arises. Ability to work as part of a multi agency / multi-disciplinary team working co-operatively in partnership with other professionals and agencies to meet the needs of the child / young person parents and / or victims.
• Able to collect, analyse and make judgements in high risk / complex cases and to use these to develop, implement, monitor and enforce effective interventions that are child and family centred and treat all with respect and with empathy whilst balancing the needs of victims and the community. Ability to question, challenge, solve problems and complete complex tasks with limited day to day guidance.
• Able to make considered decisions, analyse and evaluate information in high risk cases with limited senior staff and / or managers oversight.
• Must be self- motivating with the ability to display initiative but also to work under direction according to guidance policy and Standards for Children in the Youth Justice System. Take responsibility for quality and completion of own work within standards, with the flexibility to adapt to change and contribute significantly to, and lead service development in designated areas.
• Able to manage own time and find imaginative and cost-effective solutions to meet service users needs. Flexible and willing approach to working hours including evening and weekend working.
Package Description
We are really proud of the benefits we are able to offer our staff here at Milton Keynes Council, including:-
- Local Government Pension Scheme, considered to be one of the best employer contribution rates of 19.7%
- 27 days annual leave per year in addition to statutory and public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Our Professional Development Centre provides access to courses such as in-house management development programmes endorsed by the Institute of Leadership, Apprenticeship Programmes (junior and senior), coaching and mentoring and access to our Smarter Learning portal
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Health Cashplan
- MK Advantage benefits package – a range of savings on a wide range of retail, leisure and entertainment products and services such as Pizza Express, M&S, B&Q, John Lewis and Arriva Travel.
- SmartGo – Aimed at encouraging low-carbon transport and healthy lifestyle with discounted travel e.g. Halfords, Arriva, Europcar, National Railcards and Stagecoach.
- Homebuy Scheme (for eligible roles)
- Smarter working which provides the opportunity to work from various locations including from home for a proportion of your role (subject to business needs)
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Paternity entitlements
- Childcare Subsidy
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes is a diverse, multi cultural, adrenaline packed expanding city with so much to offer on its door step. From beautiful open spaces, a busy theatre district, large shopping centre to a number of cultural and leisure facilities.
Milton Keynes Council has an array of responsibilities, such as: education, housing, highways and social services. Altogether, the council provides over 240 services to the citizens of Milton Keynes, and to meet such an extensive and diverse range of challenges we must be innovative and dynamic to provide services successfully to meet the increasing demands that will accompany the growth of Milton Keynes. How better to contribute to that continued success than through a unique and rewarding career with us. If you want to make a difference and experience a fulfilling job measured on outcomes and results with great work-life balance, make a move to Milton Keynes Council.
