Youth Offending Team Officer

Job Description:

Youth offending team officers work to prevent children and young people under 18 from offending and reoffending.

Job Category:
Legal

What you will do:

In your day-to-day duties you might:

  • carry out risk assessments and manage risk of reoffending
  • prepare reports for the courts before sentencing
  • provide support to young offenders to prevent reoffending
  • make referrals to other agencies like housing, or drug and alcohol misuse services
  • supervise young offenders on court orders, community sentences, and after release from secure institutions
  • help young offenders into education, work or training
  • encourage young people to take part in constructive activities
  • visit young people in secure institutions

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • knowledge of psychology
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As well as:

  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
  • the ability to work on your own (drive)
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

University
You could do a foundation degree, degree or postgraduate award in:

  • youth work
  • youth justice
  • social work
  • criminology

Apprenticeship
You could do a youth justice practitioner higher apprenticeship.

You’ll need paid or voluntary experience of working with young people and sometimes adults in challenging situations. This could include in hostels, special schools, family support teams, residential childcare or youth services.

Volunteering
You can start by volunteering to work with young people. For example, mentoring will give you an understanding of the issues they face.

You can also support young people in the criminal justice system by volunteering as an appropriate adult. Opportunities and training are organised locally.

Direct Application
You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have relevant experience and qualification in:

  • youth work
  • probation
  • social work
  • policing

Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to pass enhanced background checks

Working Hours and Environment:

You could work in a court, at a client’s home, in a prison, in the community, at a police station or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could progress to team leader or team manager.

With further training you could move into social work or educational welfare.