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Job description

The NICS comprises nine departments that support the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers. We do this by developing and implementing government policies and legislation and delivering key public services in areas such as health, public finances, social development, justice, education, regeneration, environment, culture, agriculture, economic development, employment and transport. In addition, the Public Prosecution Service is a non-Ministerial Department staffed by Civil Servants. All civil servants are appointed on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition. They are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the NI Civil Service’s core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. The NICS is seeking to fill Youth Conference Coordinator roles that require specific skills and experience. Applications are invited from candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, to apply for this opportunity and challenge. This booklet provides further information on the key responsibilities of the Youth Conference Coordinator role and sets out the skills and competencies required. We have also included important information on the selection process. There are currently a number of full-time vacancies in the Youth Justice Agency (YJA) in the Department of Justice (DoJ). Further information on the business areas where the current vacancies are located is provided in the booklet.

Responsibilities

• To facilitate restorative Youth Conferences in order to ensure that interventions are at the heart of all plans, taking into account the views of victims; To provide high quality written reports to the Courts and the Public Prosecution Service;
• To undertake a range of assessments including the Youth Justice Agency Needs Assessment to inform the development of holistic and tailor made intervention plans. Said plans will address assessed risk and vulnerability as they impact on offending;
• To facilitate Youth Engagement Clinics (in partnership with the Police Service for Northern Ireland and the Public Prosecution Service) to ensure that suitable young people are exited from the Criminal Justice System at the earliest opportunity;
• To work closely with victims in ensuring their views are heard and that they are fully engaged with the process if they wish to be;
• To support and challenge young people (10-17) in (or on the fringes of) the Criminal Justice System to desist from offending and to improve their life chances;
• To oversee, supervise and manage Court Orders, Public Prosecution Service Plans and voluntary (Earlier Stage Diversion) arrangements;
• To ensure all intervention plans with young people are informed by both appropriate assessment(s) and by the out workings of the Youth Conference and to ensure said interventions are premised on planning...
• ...reviewing and evaluation of progress on a regular basis; To work in partnership with young people, families/carers, communities and professional bodies to support positive behaviour change and reduce offending;
• To negotiate appropriate interventions with families to address assessed risk areas for the young person;
• To establish multi-agency and community networks and support in order to deliver interventions in partnership and to ensure the reintegration of young people in the criminal justice system;
• To source, risk assess and manage appropriate and meaningful Reparative Activity placements in order to deliver Service in the Community requirements;
• To maintain timely and accurate written and electronic records in accordance with YJA case recording policy; To participate in training and support of volunteers, Social Work & Youth Work students and sessional workers;
• To promote and deliver a range of restorative approaches (outside the Youth Conference) in order to support young people and to take into account the views of victims; To serve as an Officer of the Court;
• To participate in supervision, team meetings, training and staff development programmes; and To carry out any other reasonable duties within the overall function, commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility of the post.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applications will only be accepted from candidates who meet the following eligibility criteria: Have at least a degree or postgraduate diploma in either Social Work or Youth Work or be expected to obtain the qualification by 31st July 2026.
• Demonstrable experience of working with young people who display challenging behaviour. Demonstrable experience of writing formal reports on service users.
• Current registration or be eligible for registration with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. (Continuing employment will be dependent on the successful registration professional fees will be reimbursed).
• Have access to a form of transport that allows travel throughout NI and the ability to safely and confidentially transport children as and when required to fulfil the full duties of the post.
• Provide full education and employment history.
• See explanatory notes on page 16 for further details. As you are providing your employment history in this section, there is no requirement for you to complete the Employment History on Part 2 of the application form.
• Provide one reference at interview, which should be your current/most recent employer. References should not be from relatives or GPs. Please provide the name of this reference on your application form.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 13th March at 12 noon. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Applications from young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC323276)