Senior Youth Justice Officer - Practice Lead

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Youth Justice Officer - Practice Excellence Lead to join the Hillingdon Youth Justice Service (YJS).

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and developing high quality, evidence based practice that supports children and young people to achieve positive outcomes, reduce re offending, and uphold our statutory responsibilities and National Standards.

You will champion best practice across the service, driving continuous improvement through coaching, quality assurance, reflective practice, and innovation. Working closely with colleagues, partners, and the local community, you will help deliver our vision:

"To be a fair, inclusive, child first youth justice service that empowers every young person to thrive, supports victims of crime, and repairs harm within safer, stronger communities."

Key responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership, coaching, and guidance to Youth Justice Officers, promoting reflective, evidence based practice.
• Support the implementation of trauma informed, child first, and restorative approaches in line with Youth Justice Board (YJB) guidance.
• Lead quality assurance activities, including case audits, observations, and feedback, ensuring consistent high standards of practice.
• Oversee the Out of Court Disposal process, including coordination and facilitation of the Scrutiny Panel.
• Act as a point of expertise for safeguarding, risk management, desistance theory, and restorative practice.
• Lead on embedding learning from audits, inspections, and serious incidents into day to day practice.
• Coordinate and deliver workforce development sessions, including reflective practice, training, and peer learning groups.
• Use data, analytics, and stakeholder feedback to monitor performance, inform improvement plans, and drive innovation.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across all areas of service delivery.
• Work collaboratively with key partners - including police, courts, education, health, and voluntary agencies - to deliver holistic support to young people and their families.
• Participate in the Duty Senior rota, including occasional weekend or Bank Holiday cover.

About you

• Substantial experience in Youth Justice or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of youth justice legislation, safeguarding, and risk management frameworks.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to drive service improvement through reflective practice and quality assurance.
• Commitment to child first, trauma informed, and restorative practice principles.
• Ability to analyse performance data and use insights to influence practice and outcomes.

Why join Hillingdon?

• A supportive environment committed to continuous learning and development.
• Opportunities to shape service delivery and influence practice across the borough.
• A workplace that celebrates diversity and inclusion.

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Hours - Recognised importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 hour Week - Enjoy a standard 36 hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement - Increasing with length of service (for non casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure - Discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Options to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work - Eco friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. Bicycle parking, lockers and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - Access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits - Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services - Free 24 hour confidential advice and counselling, and a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support - Season ticket loans and free car parking.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. All employees, job applicants and others who work for us are treated fairly. Our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we provide reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities. Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected and able to give their best.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration on a 'per application' basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and a Disclosure and Barring Service check is required.

Enhanced DBS check and 5 years of referencing are part of the pre employment screening.

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

For an informal discussion about this role, please email Jas Kamboj - .

Apply now to join us in delivering safer, fairer, and stronger communities in Hillingdon.