Service Manager- Youth Justice Service

Posted 10th Mar, 2025
Location
Islington
Salary/rate
£68,659 – £72,162
Hours
Full-time
Working arrangements
Blended
Contract type
Permanent
Closing date
6th Apr, 2025
About the role

Our Youth Justice Service has been rated as one of the top in the country by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) who rated us as ‘Outstanding’ (34/36). The Youth Justice Service has an opportunity for a Service Manager (1.00).The Service Manager is responsible for providing operational leadership and management and support senior staff in setting out the strategic direction for the multi-agency Youth Justice Service. The role is to ensure all managers and staff within the service are fully supported to ensure young people are safeguarded and that they all work to offer creative and effective diversionary approaches to reduce offending, reoffending, becoming part of a gang/group or becoming a Child Looked After by the local authority. You will contribute at a senior level to the strategic delivery of excellent joined up services for vulnerable young people, as well as ensuring that operational matters are highly performing. You will be responsible for the operational management of the Youth Justice Service and the development of good quality practice that meets local and national statutory requirements of HMIP and YJB. The role will foster strong relationships with Highbury Youth Magistrates Court, the Metropolitan Police Service’s Islington/Camden BCU, health providers, the VCS and commissioned organisations. You will support the Director of Young Islington and Assistant Director to continuously improve the quality of services which will include leading on various components pertaining to stakeholder and service user engagement and service review processes. We are looking for a proactive, enthusiastic, and highly organised individual, who is able to establish and maintain strong professional relationships with internal colleagues at all levels as well as external partners. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience of statutory youth justice framework who is able to work in a demanding environment whilst managing competing priorities effectively. They will be expected to work as part of a high performing team, have excellent understanding of practice standards, inspection frameworks, management oversight and quality assurance to improve outcomes for children.

About Islington

Islington is one of the most vibrant areas of London, with a diverse population, a unique cultural identity and a wealth of open spaces, theatres, museums, cinemas, and galleries.

Our Children’s Social Care services have been rated by OFSTED as Outstanding and praises an “unwavering commitment to improving and enriching the lives of children and their families”

A snapshot of what we offer our social workers:

  • Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
  • A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
  • Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
  • Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
  • Excellent local government pension scheme
  • Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
  • Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!
  • Lead authority for Step Up to Social Work
  • Social Work training through Social Work Apprenticeship Degree
  • Highly valued Assessed and Supported Year in Education through Islington ASYE Academy.
  • Access to Management and Coaching Apprenticeships
  • Pathways Program for first time and experienced managers
  • Opportunities to train as a Practice Educator

For more information and a discussion about working for London Borough of Islington, contact our Principal Social Worker Wynand McDonald, Principal Child and Family Social Worker at Wynand.mcdonald@islington.gov.uk.