We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexitime and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.
As part of our Youth Justice Team, you will be part of a graduated response working with children and young people aged 10-17 years old. Children will be working with Early Help, Children in Need and Child Protection and will not have been subject to statutory Youth Justice involvement. This is focused on early intervention and prevention, working with children on the cusp of the youth justice service. This role will be our tier three offer: for children and young people at risk of becoming involved in serious youth violence where this involves the possession of a bladed article. You will take a whole family approach.

QUALIFICATIONS

• NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline or equivalent.
• A current driving licence and access to a car or means to mobility support.

KNOWLEDGE

• Contextual Safeguarding.
• A thorough understanding of the factors which underpin knife crime and serious youth violence.
• Child and Adolescent Development.
• A working understanding of practice based on whole family approach.
• Social issues that adolescents face today.
• Safeguarding and Youth Justice practice and legislation.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• A proven ability to work alongside children, parents and carers who can be a challenge to connect with.
• Offering direct interventions, to facilitate the change process with a focus on possession of bladed articles.
• Being creative to achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and parents/carers with a ‘can do’ approach.
• Responding to crisis situations for children, young people and families, using appropriate problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Developing support plans based on comprehensive assessments of need and risk.
• Motivating and engaging children and young people with services to address their needs, such as substance misuse, emotional mental health, education training and employment.
• A proven ability to be part of a multi agency team
• A proven ability to make defensible decisions at times of crisis and seek appropriate advice from line managers to inform decision making.

• Provide a bespoke package of interventions for any young person open to children’s services (early help, child in need, child protection) who has been in the possession of a bladed article and referred via triage or via the Pol-Ed school pathway.
• Be part of reducing serious youth violence and supporting young people to develop ways of feeling safe and confident that do not pose a risk to them or to others.
• Motivate children and young people and support their connection and building of relationships with relevant services to address their needs such as education, substance misuse services and health.
• Work within a framework that is firmly underpinned by the principle of strengths based relational practice and address behaviours linked to childhood trauma.
• Maintain appropriate records using our internal systems and adhere to national and LA guidance on confidentiality and information-sharing.
• Maintain high professional standards and a commitment to developing knowledge of local, regional and national provision for children, young people and families, along with knowledge of new legislation, research and good practice
• To work within a flexible framework which will include evening, early morning and weekends where appropriate.