Job Introduction
Make a Difference for Young People in Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council’s Youth Justice Service (YJS) is looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, and skilled Youth Justice Officer to join our multi‑disciplinary team. This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with children and young people (aged 10–17) to prevent offending, reduce re-offending, and improve long‑term outcomes. This role is a fixed term contract for 6 months.
As part of our partnership service within Children, Families and Education, you’ll play a key role in safeguarding, supporting positive change, and helping young people thrive.
The Role
As a Youth Justice Officer, you will:
- Work with children subject to preventative and statutory interventions, including those in custody.
- Support parents and carers to reduce youth crime and improve outcomes.
- Complete high‑quality assessments, plans, and interventions focused on reducing risk, vulnerability, and likelihood of re-offending.
- Work collaboratively with professionals across agencies to gather information and coordinate support.
- Write and present reports for a range of forums, including Court, Referral Order Panels, and professional meetings.
- Carry out Court and Office duties and deliver group and one‑to‑one intervention programmes.
- Support young people through transitions, including turning 18 or moving between services.
You’ll be part of a lively, committed, and supportive team that is passionate about creating positive, lasting change for children in Portsmouth.
The ideal candidate
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience within Youth Justice or can demonstrate strong understanding of the field and is educated to A‑level standard or equivalent.
- Has excellent skills in assessment, planning, intervention and review.
- Can deliver effective interventions to young people with varying levels of risk and vulnerability.
- Works well in a multi‑agency environment and is committed to continuous professional development.
- Can confidently analyse information and produce high‑quality written and verbal reports.
- Shows professionalism, integrity, and resilience in Court, office, and community settings.
- Has strong communication and interpersonal skills and can engage effectively with young people and families.
- Is organised, calm under pressure, flexible, innovative and able to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced service.
- Has good IT skills and can use Microsoft Office applications effectively.
- Can handle complex and sometimes volatile situations professionally and respectfully.
- Supports and promotes equality, inclusion, and Portsmouth City Council’s Equal Opportunities policy.
- Can converse at ease with customers and provide accurate spoken and written English. (Essential)
Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.
If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your Personal statement .
Hybrid working arrangements :
Attendance requirements to the designated workplace will be 2 days required in the office for full time post.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please email:
Kieran Gildea - kieran.gildea@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
OR
Emma Donnelly - emma.donnelly@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Interview date: 31st March 2026
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.
As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
Safeguarding Roles
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
