Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC621894
Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 per annum
Work Location: Dame Mary Fagan House, Basingstoke (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Temporary (6 months)
Closing Date: 19 August 2025
Interview Date: 1 September 2025
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Prevention Officer to join our Youth Justice team at Hampshire County Council.
Are you looking for a challenging and diverse role working as part of a friendly and supportive team, with an opportunity to make a real difference?
The purpose of this role is to work as part of the Youth Justice Service (YJS), responsible for the development and delivery of effective and innovative interventions and reparation projects to prevent and reduce offending by children and young people, using trauma informed, child -first and restorative approaches.
The Role:
Our Prevention Officers work with children aged 10 to 16 who are at risk of offending and have not been to court. If a young person has been involved with the police at a low level, our Prevention service aims to deter them from developing patterns of persistent and more serious offending in the future.
Hampshire Youth Justice Service offers you the chance to make real changes to children and families lives in a dynamic and creative way. This role offers the successful candidate an opportunity to work in a specialist field whilst being part of a committed, creative, and experienced team. We are a high-quality service that strives to support the complex needs of children, and to achieve sustainable outcomes for those children for those children who have been referred into the service.
Within the team there are a wide range of professionals including specialist practitioners in mental health, Police, Probation, Restorative Justice, Parenting and Education, Training and Employment. This combined multi- disciplinary team allows Hampshire Youth Justice Service to function at the highest level.
What you’ll do:
- Develop and deliver early intervention and prevention programs for at-risk children.
- Work collaboratively with schools, families, children services, and community partners to identify and support vulnerable young people.
- Conduct assessments to understand the needs, risks, and strengths of young individuals.
- Provide one-to-one support, mentoring, and guidance to divert young people from offending behaviour.
- Design and facilitate group workshops on topics such as decision-making, peer pressure, and emotional regulation.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, maintaining accurate case records and reports.
- Promote positive engagement in education, training, and community activities.
- Advocate for young people’s needs and rights within the justice and social care systems.
- Contribute to multi-agency meetings and safeguarding processes.
- Stay informed on youth justice policies, local trends, and best practices.
What we’re looking for:
- Passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people.
- Experience working with children or young people in a youth justice, education, social care, or community setting.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, child development, and trauma-informed approaches.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-agency team.
- Resilient, reflective, and committed to continuous learning.
- Organised and able to manage a varied caseload effectively.
Why join us?
Our benefits package includes details of the holiday entitlement, pension scheme, flexi-time scheme, family friendly policies and interest free travel loans and discounts. We offer a flexible, motivating and inclusive workplace. We have created an environment that you can look forward to being a part of, where you are empowered to be your best and a workplace built on teamwork where people can grow and develop in their roles.
If you think you have what it takes to make a real difference in Hampshire, get in touch!
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.
Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.
Vetting Requirements:
This post is subject to a criminal records check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
