Location: Merton Council
Rate: Up to £400 per day (umbrella)
Contract: 3–6 months (with potential for extension)
Working Pattern: Full-time, Hybrid (office presence required weekly)
About the Role:
Merton Council is seeking an experienced Youth Justice Service Manager to lead and oversee the delivery of high-quality youth justice services across the borough. This is a key leadership position responsible for ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and improving outcomes for young people at risk of offending or reoffending.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Youth Justice Service
- Manage and support a multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective performance and accountability
- Lead on service planning, delivery and evaluation in line with national standards and local priorities
- Oversee case management, safeguarding and risk management practices
- Collaborate with statutory partners, including police, probation, health, and education to drive effective multi-agency working
- Prepare and present reports to internal stakeholders and external inspectorates (e.g. Youth Justice Board, HMIP)
- Ensure high-quality interventions that are trauma-informed, child-first, and evidence-based
- Extensive experience in managing youth justice or related children’s services at a senior level
- Strong knowledge of the youth justice framework, legislation, and current best practices
- Proven track record of leading teams, driving performance, and achieving improved outcomes for vulnerable children
- Skilled in partnership working and stakeholder engagement
- Ability to analyse data and present service reports to senior leadership and external bodies
- Social Work qualification (or equivalent relevant qualification) desirable
- Work within a progressive and child-centred borough
- Lead a committed and experienced team
- Competitive daily rate of up to £400
- Opportunity to shape youth justice strategy in a high-performing London borough
For more information or to apply, contact Lewis Ashcroft at:
📩 lewis.ashcroft@servicecare.org.uk
📞 01772 208964
