Team Manager (Youth Justice)

Job Summary

Interviews to be held 10th April 2026

We may conduct our interviews in person or using Microsoft Teams for video calling. All you need is a device with a camera and access to the internet. We will provide guidance and instructions on how to use this method if your interview is being held virtually.

We are a disability confident leader and we support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process - for more information click important-information-for-applicants (north-ayrshire.gov.uk).

We are looking for a highly motivated, dynamic Team Manager who will oversee the day to day running of our Youth Justice Team. The role requires experience in children and families or youth justice social work, strong leadership, and commitment to reducing youth offending through support and rehabilitation. Key Responsibilities will include direct support, and mentoring staff to manage complex caseloads and implementation of child centred and trauma-informed approaches in line with Scottish Youth Justice strategy (e.g., UNCRC obligations) and The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024.

You will lead and manage a team of staff supporting children and young people aged 8 - 21 years, be skilled at multi-agency working and be able to demonstrate your ability to support staff in the undertaking of quality assessments and interventions that reduce the likelihood of reoffending and reduce levels of vulnerability and risk of harm to others.

Crucial to the role is an understanding of the complex issues that impact upon children and young people who offend and their families. You will promote the use of research and evidenced based practice approaches, being familiar with case formulation, contextual safeguarding and restorative justice.

You will also oversee the social worker role linked to the Secure Adolescence Inpatient Service Foxgrove which supports children and young people aged 12 to 18 years of age who have complex difficulties and require a high level of care. This will include young people with complex mental health and offending related behaviours.

In addition, this role will have a focus on service development in the wider context of the justice landscape with the successful candidate streamlining the transition between youth and adult justice teams and assisting with management tasks within the adult justice setting.

For more details see the attached Role Profile below.

Before you apply, find out a little bit about us and why we are a Great Place to Work.

Staff Values & Behaviours

North Ayrshire Council uses behavioural based approach throughout the recruitment process. Our staff values of Focus, Passion & Inspiration will be explored for this vacancy.

Further information on our Staff Values and how to complete behaviour based application form questions is available on the Staff values and behaviours (north-ayrshire.gov.uk).

Additional Information

References

For your information if this post requires references you will be notified of further details if you are successful in gaining an interview. Not providing relevant references when requested may delay the outcome of the interview process.

Please note if you are the successful candidate your name and email address will be entered into the Disclosure Scotland PVG system to generate your PVG form which will be issued to your email with an enclosed link to complete.

PVG (both)

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children or protected adults

Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to confirmation of employment being made by North Ayrshire Council. Please note, successful candidates will be expected to meet the cost of the relevant PVG check (£59 or £18), which will be deducted from your salary following commencement of employment. For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit https://www.mygov.scot/organisations/disclosure-scotland/. For further details on North Ayrshire Council’s policy please visit Pre-employment checks (north-ayrshire.gov.uk).

Please note if you are the successful candidate your name and email address will be entered into the Disclosure Scotland PVG system to generate your PVG form which will be issued to your email with an enclosed link to complete.

Our Workstyles

As an employer of choice, North Ayrshire Council has identified four different Workstyles. Each post in the council has been allocated one of these styles:

Agile – 100% of time spent working agile (flexibly) and interacting with others. Able to work at home, office or multiple locations. May be required to attend office on set days/rota basis as the role requires.

This post has been allocated the workstyle: Agile

More information on our workstyles can be found in our HR Guide - Workstyles (north-ayrshire.gov.uk). If you have any questions on the allocated Workstyle for this post, please ask at interview.