Job summary
This isnt your typical Practitioner role.
As aYouth JusticeHealth and Wellbeing Worker, working on the JEFF project you will join a team that isdoing things differently, builtwith young people, not just for them.
JEFFstands forJourney to Enrichment, Fulfilment and Friendship, and it is not just a catchy name. It is amission shaped by the voices of the young peoplewe work with, turning their ideas intoreal, on the ground supportthat makes sense for their world.
You will work with children and young people who arein contact with, or at risk of entering, the Youth Justice System. Every day, you will be helping them access theright support at the right time, offeringtargeted mental health and emotional wellbeing interventionsthat are practical, responsive and built around trust.
You will spend your time where it matters most. That might be sitting alongside a Youth Justice colleague doinga joint assessment,running a small groupin a local youth space, orchecking in with a young person one to one. You will have the trust and backing to do what works. You will bepart of a supportive teamand work closely withVCSE partners, schools, CAMHS and other local servicesto make sure support feels connected andnever leaves young people to fall through the gaps.
This role isfast paced, varied and deeply rewarding. You will be avisible and trusted presence in the community, helping young people feelseen, supported and hopeful about the future.
Main duties of the job
Were looking for a strong believer in second chances.You understand how complex life can be for young people facing tough circumstances and you know how tomeet them where they are, not where they are expected to be.
You will bring:
- Experience working with children and young peoplewith mental health or emotional wellbeing needs
- Confidence working withYouth Justice Servicesor supporting those at risk of offending
- Knowledge ofsafeguarding, child development and trauma informed care
- Skill inbuilding safe, trusting relationshipsandco-producing meaningful support
- Ability to deliverpsychosocial interventionsacross multiple community settings
- Strong communication, organisation and collaborative working skills
- Acreative, committed, team focused mindsetwith the drive to keep going when things get tough
You may also bring experience ofworking across services, runninggroup sessions, or supporting young people who have facedexploitation, trauma or major life challenges. Maybe you have helped someone find their voice after being written off, or supported a young person to take their first step back into education or stability. Whatever your background, it is your ability tolisten with compassion,act with integrity, andstay focused on solutions even when things are toughthat will set you apart.
These are the values that shape everything we do at Compass, and if they guide you too, you will feel right at home here.
About us
Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.
All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.
We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits including:
- 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
- Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
- Competitive contributory pension scheme
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
- Enhanced sick pay
- Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
- Annual performance/salary review
Help us to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people!
Closing date: 16/07/25
Job description
Job responsibilities
This isnt your typical Practitioner role.
As a Youth Justice Health and Wellbeing Worker, working on the JEFF project you will join a team that is doing things differently, built with young people, not just for them.
JEFF stands for Journey to Enrichment, Fulfilment and Friendship, and it is not just a catchy name. It is a mission shaped by the voices of the young people we work with, turning their ideas into real, on the ground support that makes sense for their world.
You will work with children and young people who are in contact with, or at risk of entering, the Youth Justice System. Every day, you will be helping them access the right support at the right time, offering targeted mental health and emotional wellbeing interventions that are practical, responsive and built around trust.
You will spend your time where it matters most. That might be sitting alongside a Youth Justice colleague doing a joint assessment, running a small group in a local youth space, or checking in with a young person one to one. You will have the trust and backing to do what works. You will be part of a supportive team and work closely with VCSE partners, schools, CAMHS and other local services to make sure support feels connected and never leaves young people to fall through the gaps.
This role is fast paced, varied and deeply rewarding. You will be a visible and trusted presence in the community, helping young people feel seen, supported and hopeful about the future.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This isnt your typical Practitioner role.
As a Youth Justice Health and Wellbeing Worker, working on the JEFF project you will join a team that is doing things differently, built with young people, not just for them.
JEFF stands for Journey to Enrichment, Fulfilment and Friendship, and it is not just a catchy name. It is a mission shaped by the voices of the young people we work with, turning their ideas into real, on the ground support that makes sense for their world.
You will work with children and young people who are in contact with, or at risk of entering, the Youth Justice System. Every day, you will be helping them access the right support at the right time, offering targeted mental health and emotional wellbeing interventions that are practical, responsive and built around trust.
You will spend your time where it matters most. That might be sitting alongside a Youth Justice colleague doing a joint assessment, running a small group in a local youth space, or checking in with a young person one to one. You will have the trust and backing to do what works. You will be part of a supportive team and work closely with VCSE partners, schools, CAMHS and other local services to make sure support feels connected and never leaves young people to fall through the gaps.
This role is fast paced, varied and deeply rewarding. You will be a visible and trusted presence in the community, helping young people feel seen, supported and hopeful about the future.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC higher diploma or foundation degree in relevant field or equivalent skills/knowledge and experience.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of one year of post qualification experience of working with children, young people and families.
- Experience of working with children and young people who are at risk of entering and/or involved with the Youth Justice Service.
- Delivery of mental health and emotional wellbeing advice and support to children, young people and their families.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Understanding of mental health and emotional wellbeing issues that affect children, young people and their families.
- Child development and understanding behaviours.
- Safeguarding children and adults guidance and legislation.
- Equality and Diversity guidance and legislation.
- Confidentiality, consent and mental capacity.
- Risk taking behaviour and the resulting problems.
- Data Protection guidance and legislation.
- Computer packages including Microsoft Office.
- Ability and willingness to adopt a flexible approach to working outside normal office hours or at different venues on occasion.
- Ability to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments where required.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and maintain discretion and confidentiality.
- Encourages others to express their views, feelings and wishes.
- Full driving licence and access to vehicle.
- Team Player able to work as part of a team, co-operate to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist whenever possible and appropriate.
- Interpersonal Skills able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with
- others both internal and external to the organisation.
- Autonomy ability to work without direct supervision, prioritising work and acting on own initiative where appropriate; pre-empting problems and working to solve them.
- Strategic Thinking able to identify and manage risk with the ability to elicit information to make an assessment of need.
- Communication Skills excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to adjust communication style and content to the audience.
- Confidence & Resilience able to deliver messages in a confident manner with excellent presentation skills and group work skills.
- Flexible & Adaptable positive attitude to dealing with change; flexible and adaptable, and open to exploring new ideas.
- Self-Awareness ability to empathise with others, maturity to admit and rectify mistakes and strong degree of personal integrity to adhere to acceptable standards of behaviour.
- Motivated highly motivated and reliable and organised to plan and meet deadlines and manage time effectively.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC higher diploma or foundation degree in relevant field or equivalent skills/knowledge and experience.
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of one year of post qualification experience of working with children, young people and families.
- Experience of working with children and young people who are at risk of entering and/or involved with the Youth Justice Service.
- Delivery of mental health and emotional wellbeing advice and support to children, young people and their families.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Understanding of mental health and emotional wellbeing issues that affect children, young people and their families.
- Child development and understanding behaviours.
- Safeguarding children and adults guidance and legislation.
- Equality and Diversity guidance and legislation.
- Confidentiality, consent and mental capacity.
- Risk taking behaviour and the resulting problems.
- Data Protection guidance and legislation.
- Computer packages including Microsoft Office.
- Ability and willingness to adopt a flexible approach to working outside normal office hours or at different venues on occasion.
- Ability to undertake the demands of the post with reasonable adjustments where required.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and maintain discretion and confidentiality.
- Encourages others to express their views, feelings and wishes.
- Full driving licence and access to vehicle.
- Team Player able to work as part of a team, co-operate to work together and in conjunction with others and willing to help and assist whenever possible and appropriate.
- Interpersonal Skills able to develop, establish and maintain positive relationships with
- others both internal and external to the organisation.
- Autonomy ability to work without direct supervision, prioritising work and acting on own initiative where appropriate; pre-empting problems and working to solve them.
- Strategic Thinking able to identify and manage risk with the ability to elicit information to make an assessment of need.
- Communication Skills excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to adjust communication style and content to the audience.
- Confidence & Resilience able to deliver messages in a confident manner with excellent presentation skills and group work skills.
- Flexible & Adaptable positive attitude to dealing with change; flexible and adaptable, and open to exploring new ideas.
- Self-Awareness ability to empathise with others, maturity to admit and rectify mistakes and strong degree of personal integrity to adhere to acceptable standards of behaviour.
- Motivated highly motivated and reliable and organised to plan and meet deadlines and manage time effectively.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
