CSW Team Manager – Youth Justice Service

Location: Islington, North London Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm) Pay Rate: £30.17 per hour (PAYE) Contract Type: Full time Qualification Required: Qualified Social Worker Experience Required: Minimum 3 years statutory management experience within Youth Justice

About the Role

The Youth Justice Service is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Team Manager to play a central role in the leadership and delivery of high-quality Youth Justice services.

Our Youth Justice Service is recognised as one of the best in the country, having been rated ‘Outstanding’ by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation. This role is pivotal in maintaining and building upon this standard, ensuring children and young people receive effective, trauma-informed and evidence-based support.

You will lead practice across complex and high-risk cases, support staff development and ensure strong multi-agency collaboration, safeguarding and risk management for children involved in the criminal justice system.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

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Provide strong strategic and operational leadership aligned with the Youth Justice Service vision and objectives

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Drive continuous improvement so children and families receive the best possible support and outcomes

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Take day-to-day management responsibility for Deputy Team Managers and overall accountability for Youth Justice Officers and specialist practitioners

Practice Oversight & Quality Assurance

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Oversee complex and high-risk casework, including court proceedings and enforcement decisions

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Ensure practice meets national Youth Justice standards, including HMIP Youth Inspection Programme expectations

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Evaluate practice quality and impact through audits, observations, reflective feedback and engagement with children and families

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Provide professional consultation and decision-making on safeguarding, risk management and public protection

Safeguarding & Risk Management

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Lead safeguarding practice and ensure risks to children and others are appropriately assessed and managed

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Promote positive outcomes for children facing exploitation, mental health challenges, educational disengagement and other vulnerabilities

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Ensure all court proposals and enforcement actions are robust, defensible and clearly recorded

Partnership & Influence

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Build strong, outward-facing relationships with multi-agency partners

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Promote a culture where managed risk is understood and supported

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Ensure effective communication with children, families, colleagues and partner agencies, encouraging feedback and innovation

Essential Requirements

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Qualified Social Worker (registered)

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Minimum of 3 years statutory management experience within Youth Justice

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Extensive experience managing high-risk and complex cases

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Strong knowledge of youth court processes and statutory Youth Justice frameworks

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Proven leadership, quality assurance and safeguarding experience

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Excellent understanding of national practice standards and inspection frameworks

What We Offer

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£30.17 per hour (PAYE)

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35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

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Opportunity to work within an Outstanding-rated Youth Justice Service

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Supportive, values-driven working environment

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Youth Justice leader committed to improving outcomes for children and young people, we would welcome your application.

Apply with your CV, confirmation of Social Work qualification and a brief summary of your Youth Justice management experience