HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Youth Justice Worker - HMP Wetherby
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202607: Youth Justice Worker - HMP Wetherby
Youth Justice Worker – HMYOI/HMP Wetherby York Rd, Wetherby, LS22 5ED
Job Overview
Starting salary: £36,816 (39-hour week including 20% unsocial hours allowance) Location: Harrogate, North East Vacancy type: Merit
About the Role
The Youth Justice Worker plays a crucial role in supporting children and young people in custody—bridging the gap between prison officers and those needing specialized care. Unlike generic prison work, this role prioritizes rehabilitation, guidance, and empowerment over punishment.
Your focus will be ensuring security, safety, and well-being while helping young people build brighter futures. You’ll receive comprehensive training, mentoring, and—after your 12-month probation—an opportunity to earn a Level 4 Qualification in youth custody.
This is no ordinary security role—you’ll tackle behavioral challenges, mental health needs, and reintegration into society, all while trusting your decision-making, empathy, and judgment.
Key Responsibilities
As a Youth Justice Worker, you will:
- Supervise and support young people in custody (18 years and younger) while ensuring security and safety.
- Identify and respond to complex needs, ensuring interventions (including conflict resolution, de-escalation, and safeguarding) are Respectful, evidence-based, and effective.
- Foster relationships of trust with young people and families to help them navigate challenges and reach their potential.
- Coordinate closely with external agencies, including social workers, educational staff, and healthcare providers.
- Ensure the daily operations of youth custody—facilitating safe movement, mealtimes, and recreation—run smoothly.
- Document and reflect on practice through supervision to continue growing your skills.
Required Qualifications & Eligibility
No formal qualifications are required—personal qualities matter most. You must:
- Be at least 18 years old upon commencement.
- Complete a:
- Medical check (health screening, blood pressure, etc.)
- Fitness assessment (must be physically active)
- Eyesight test (with and without correction)
- Hearing test (using hearing aids permitted, but baseline hearing will be assessed)
- DBS check (disclosure for working with children).
- Facial tattoos must not be offensive, discriminatory, or intimidating (unless culturally/religiously/medically necessary).
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Nationality Rules
Applicants must meet UK Civil Service nationality requirements, including:
- UK nationals
- Irish, EU migratory or Swiss nationals
- Commonwealth citizens with right to work in the UK
- Dependents under EU Settlement Scheme Limited applications via Skilled Worker visa sponsorship; eligibility prioritized but rare.
Please ensure you remain legally entitled to work and reside in the UK throughout employment.
Salary & Working Hours
- **37 hours/week = £34,928/year
- **39 hours/week = £36,816 (inc. unsocial allowance) (standard compulsory hours)
- **41 hours/week = £39,334/year
Initial Training: 37 hours/week (flexible into part-time/overtime roles post-training).
Operational hours: 24/7 shifts including evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays (additional days integrated into annual leave).
Training & Career Development
After 12 months’ probation, you’ll qualify for:
- Level 4 Qualification (Certificate in Youth Custody).
- Progressions to Band 4 Youth Justice Specialist.
- Specialist training in safeguarding, safeguarding, and holistic intervention strategies.
Essential & Desired Skills
- Empathy & influence: You must be a calm and decisive role model for vulnerable young people.
- Exemplary judgment: Ability to weigh risks and opportunities for youth reintegration.
- Effective communication: Across diverse backgrounds, including families/carers.
- Resilience: Managing challenging scenarios with professionalism.
- Compassion combined with firm boundaries—key to promoting change.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday + 7 annual leave days (5 + time + extra at 10 years).
- 27-day holidays at 10+ years.
- Civil Service Pension (employer: 28.97%).
- Support schemes: Cycle to Work, loans, and discounts via MoJ’s employer partnerships.
- Mental health and well-being support.
- Career progression & development.
Application Process
Stages:
- Apply online (evaluate numerical/decision-making skills).
- Online values test (assess behaviors: Caring, Quality Service, Decision-Making).
- Online Assessment Centre (interactive includes strengths die, situational judgement tasks).
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- Merit Score: Successful candidates are added to a ranked merit list. Top scores first notified when roles open.
- Merit List Validity: 12 months (then reapply).
- Subsidiary Path: If selected but unsuitable as a Youth Justice Worker (YJW), transition into a smaller role.
Additional Resources & Support
- Disability Confident Employer: Accommodation support for assessments.
- Veteran Priority: Guaranteed interview scheme for eligible Ex-Services.
- Redeployment Scheme: Interviews offered for eligible redundancies.
- Interactive Preview: [What’s it like as a Prison Officer?](insert link)
Important Notes
- Only eligible UK nationals permitted (no visa sponsorship guaranteed).
- Security/confidentiality: Witness list-witness vulnerability response.
- Mandatory Checks:
- DBS+Vetting for security clearance.
- Closing Date: 23 July 2026
Contact & Support
- Justices Jobs Helpdesk: 0845 241 5358 or Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
- Application Quirks: Do not use AI unless practices ethical reporting (DBS provides support if misconduct is flagged).
Eligibility: Submit Before [ supporting document 1 ] (attachment included in email).
Closing Statement
Why Join? This is meaningful work—changing lives. You’ll build lasting skills for sectors like social work, education, and counselling. Join a respectful, supportive environment committed to transformation.
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