Intensive Supervision & Surveillance (ISS) Practitioner

Job Introduction

About Us

Oxfordshire Youth Justice Service is a multi-disciplinary service within Oxfordshire Children’s Services, forming part of the wider Adolescence & Prevention Service. We work closely alongside colleagues in Targeted Youth Support (TYSS), SAFER (Exploitation & Risk Outside the Home), Family Bridges, which provides therapeutic family intervention, and the 'Strive' project, offering intensive mentoring to children at risk of serious violence.

Our team benefits from two full-time seconded Youth Justice Police Officers, a Youth Justice Probation Officer, a dedicated Forensic CAMHS link worker and a specialist nurse. We have a knowledgeable and established management team who value reflective supervision, professional development and continuous learning. We are committed to maintaining a supportive and inclusive team culture where colleagues feel safe to contribute, learn, challenge and develop.

About the Role

This is a practical, relationship-based role focused on providing intensive and individualised support to children and adolescents with complex needs and risks. You will work alongside children, families and partner agencies to help prevent further escalation through the criminal justice system, reduce the likelihood of entering or returning to custody, promote stability and address extra-familial and contextual risks.

Primarily a non-case-holding role, you will work closely with the allocated Youth Justice case manager to develop, coordinate and support the delivery of creative and purposeful Intensive Supervision and Surveillance (ISS) timetables. These will be tailored to each child’s individual needs, strengths, interests and circumstances, bringing together interventions and opportunities from across the professional network and wider community.

You will work directly with parents and carers, helping them to understand the requirements of the child’s Order and supporting families to manage risk, strengthen safety and promote positive change. You will also contribute to assessment, planning and review, working collaboratively with Youth Justice colleagues and the wider multi-agency network.

An important part of the role will be building relationships with local businesses, community organisations, alternative education provisions and other partners to broaden the opportunities available to justice-involved children. Through these connections, you will help children access constructive activities and experiences that develop their skills, confidence, aspirations and a positive sense of identity and belonging.

This is a county-wide role covering Oxfordshire and may occasionally require travel outside the county to maintain continuity of support when a child moves out of area. Some work in the evenings and on weekends may be required. A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel are essential.

About you

You will be someone who is passionate about working with children and adolescents and believes in their capacity to make positive changes, even when circumstances are complex or progress is not straightforward.

You will be confident in building purposeful relationships with children who may have experienced adversity, trauma, exploitation, exclusion and involvement in the criminal justice system. You will understand that engagement can take time and will bring patience, persistence, curiosity and consistency to your work, while maintaining clear professional boundaries.

As this is a practical and intensive role, you will be comfortable working flexibly and creatively. You will be able to motivate children to engage in meaningful activities and interventions, recognise their strengths and interests, and help them develop confidence, skills, aspirations and a positive identity.

You will be able to work collaboratively with parents and carers, Youth Justice colleagues and professionals from across the wider multi-agency network. You will have good communication and organisational skills and be able to contribute effectively to assessment, planning, risk management and review, sharing information appropriately and maintaining clear records.

We are looking for someone who can:

• build positive, trusting and appropriately boundaried relationships with children;
• remain calm, resilient and solution-focused when faced with challenging or changing situations;
• understand the impact of trauma, exploitation, contextual risk and other vulnerabilities on children’s lives and behaviour;
• balance a child’s strengths and needs with effective management of risk and safety;
• plan, coordinate and deliver structured, individualised programmes of support;
• work confidently with families and professionals from different agencies;
• use creativity and initiative to identify activities, opportunities and community resources that will engage children;
• communicate clearly and respectfully, including when conversations are difficult;
• work independently while remaining an active and supportive member of the wider team; and
• reflect on your practice, welcome supervision and contribute positively to a learning and supportive team culture.

You do not need to have followed one particular career path. Relevant experience may have been gained through Youth Justice, youth work, children's social care, Policing, education, family support, contextual safeguarding, exploitation services, mentoring or another role supporting adolescents with complex needs.

Above all, you will bring a child-centred and strengths-based approach, combining warmth and compassion with appropriate challenge, professional curiosity and a strong commitment to helping children achieve safer and more positive futures.

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Upto 33 days holiday p.a plus bank holidays
• Option to 'buy' additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer's contribution of upto 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development

Your office base may be subject to change as we are currently transitioning between temporary and permanent office locations due to the closure of County Hall. If this is applicable to you, you will be notified, but no reimbursement will apply in respect of travel.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are 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 these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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