Probation Officer (Youth Justice Service)

Red Snapper Justice are part of a niche recruitment agency, who provide staffing services to the offender management and criminal justice sectors.

We are seeking a qualified and motivated Probation Officer to work across the Youth Justice Service (YJS) teams in East and Central Lancashire, supporting children involved in the criminal justice system. The successful candidate will play a vital role in reducing first-time entrants, reoffending, and the use of custody, and will contribute to an approach grounded in trauma-informed, restorative, and child-first principles.

Location: East and Central Lancashire (Burnley and Preston offices)

Contract Type: 6 months, potential for extension

Working Pattern: Hybrid (minimum 3 days per week in office; remainder remote as appropriate)

Travel Requirements: Essential car user - regular travel across East and Central Lancashire required

Salary: PAYE £21.75 / Umbrella £28.64

Key Responsibilities

Youth Justice Focus:

• Deliver youth justice supervision in line with national and local policies and procedures.
• Manage cases of children in custody and the community, including high-risk and complex individuals.
• Complete assessments, sentence planning, interventions, reviews, and enforcement activity.
• Provide timely and quality Pre-Sentence Reports and other court advice.
• Engage with families and carers to support positive outcomes.
• Facilitate transitions to adult services through planning and inter-agency collaboration.
• Attend court duties, referral panel meetings, and participate in occasional evening/weekend work.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies in line with Pan Lancashire Children's Safeguarding procedures.

General Probation Officer Duties:

• Provide professional advice, reports, and assessments to courts, the Parole Board, and partner agencies.
• Manage offenders across all levels of risk, using evidence-based practice and risk assessment tools.
• Maintain accurate records using relevant IT systems and within designated timeframes.
• Foster multi-agency working including with MAPPA, MARAC, Approved Premises, and prisons.
• Contribute to team development by supporting colleagues and PSOs, where appropriate.
• Undertake visits to prisons, homes, or other settings as required.
• Conduct alcohol and drug testing and oversee prescribed medication procedures.
• Deliver safeguarding duties in line with statutory responsibilities and national standards.
• Uphold and promote the values and aims of both the Youth Justice Service and the Probation Service.

Essential Requirements

• Qualified Probation Officer with one of the following:
  - PQF Honors Degree/Graduate Diploma and Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
  - Diploma in Probation Studies
  - Diploma in Social Work (Probation option)
  - CQSW (Probation option)
• Strong understanding of the Criminal Justice System and relevant legislation.
• Experience working with individuals with complex social or personal needs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage risk and motivate positive change in those who have offended.
• Commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
• Competent IT skills and ability to manage detailed records.
• Excellent spoken and written English skills.
• Full driving license and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid post based primarily across Burnley and Preston offices, with flexibility to work from home for tasks such as report writing. The role requires the postholder to effectively manage their calendar to ensure availability for face-to-face work with children and attendance at court and other duties.

An enhanced DBS will be required for this role.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, your application has been unsuccessful.

Red Snapper Justice is a member of the Red Snapper Group.

The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) - a free and confidential service to candidates.

The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.