Restorative Justice Lead Officer

Job description

Post No. SSCF0301 - Project Officer - Youth Justice

Newport Youth Justice Service (YJS) is seeking an enthusiastic, innovative and highly motivated Project Officer to lead the development and delivery of evidence-informed interventions for children and young people involved with the youth justice system.

Initially this post is fixed term until 31st March 2027 with view of extension based on funding.

This exciting role will have responsibility for the development of our group work programme, lead on the implementation and coordination of the Believe Library, and act as the Restorative Justice Lead for the service. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting children to achieve positive outcomes, reduce reoffending, repair harm and strengthen relationships within families and communities.

Working as part of a dynamic multi-agency team, you will contribute to Newport's vision of delivering child-first, trauma-informed and strengths-based youth justice services.

About the Role
As Project Officer, you will:
- Design, develop and evaluate a range of innovative group work programmes that address identified needs including victim awareness, healthy relationships, consequential thinking, emotional regulation, identity, exploitation and offending behaviour.
- Lead on the implementation, promotion and ongoing development of the Believe Library, ensuring effective delivery of interventions that challenge harmful beliefs, promote positive identity development and support behaviour change.
- Act as the Restorative Justice Lead for Newport Youth Justice Service, championing restorative practice across the service and wider partnership.
- Coordinate and facilitate restorative interventions, including victim-offender mediation, restorative conferences and indirect restorative approaches where appropriate.
- Support staff through training, consultation and quality assurance to embed restorative principles throughout the service.
- Monitor, evaluate and report on project outcomes, ensuring interventions remain effective, evidence-based and responsive to local need.
- Build positive relationships with partner agencies, schools, community organisations and voluntary sector services to maximise opportunities for children and young people.
- Contribute to service development, innovation and continuous improvement.

About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience of working directly with children, young people and families within youth justice, youth work, education, social care or a related field.
- Has experience of developing and delivering group work programmes and interventions.
- Has a strong understanding of restorative justice principles and restorative practice.
- Is passionate about supporting children to recognise their strengths, overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.
- Has excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
- Can work creatively with complex and vulnerable children and young people.
- Has experience of partnership working and engaging a range of stakeholders.
- Is organised, self-motivated and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Can monitor performance and evaluate the impact of interventions through effective data collection and analysis.

If you are passionate about helping children make positive changes, believe in the power of restorative justice and have the creativity to develop impactful interventions, we would welcome your application.

Join Newport Youth Justice Service and help us build safer communities, repair harm and create better futures for children and young people.

This post provides a challenging and exciting opportunity for those who wish to be part of the continuing transformation of the Youth Justice Service in Newport.

You must be willing to work flexible hours as the team provides support when it is required to fulfil the objective of the plan even if this is outside traditional office hours. However, a well-being approach to working within your contractual hours is encouraged and monitored.

Please contact Team Manager Adam Savigar via email [email protected] should you require any further information.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Services Check (DBS).

To find out more about the benefits of working for Newport City Council visit Benefits & Conditions.

We welcome applications for all our jobs in either Welsh or English. An application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Newport City Council is committed to working towards its workforce being more representative of the population that we serve and particularly welcomes applications from people from minority ethnic communities represented (or living) in the city. Selection will be made on ability and skills to undertake the role.

Newport City Council is not currently supporting applicants with sponsorship for right to work. In applying for a vacancy, applicants should already have the right to work in the UK.

Our values - Fairness for all, Making a difference, Being responsible, Working together
Ein gwerthoedd - Ein Gwerthoedd, Tegwch i Bawb, Gwneud Gwahaniaeth, Bod yn Gyfrifol, Gweithio gyda'n gilydd