Job Introduction
Directorate: People (Children's, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)
Department: Children’s Services
Salary: MPR6-A £45,795 per annum
Job Status: Permanent Full Time
Hours: 37 per week
Location: Broadside, Leviathan Way, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4LL
Working Style: Hybrid – Works part from Broadside and part from home.
Closing Date: 5th July 2026
We are seeking a Practice Manager for our Youth Justice Service. You will have operational management responsibility within the Youth Justice Team, focussing on achieving positive change and keeping children and communities safe, driving prevention, diversion to prevent offending and re-offending by children. You will work alongside colleagues and multi-agency partners to develop and continuously improve the delivery of a high-quality effective service that delivers good outcomes for children, young people, their families, victims, and the community.
About You
Educated to degree level in a relevant subject e.g. Youth Justice, Social work, child mental health or Probation and you will have substantial experience and a proven track record of successfully improving outcomes for children and young people. You will also be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of working with children in a statutory setting and ideally have experience of working with ‘Signs of Safety’ or a similar strength and relationships based practice framework.
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Generous annual leave entitlement
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Generous local government pension scheme package
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Access to wider training and development qualifications
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Flexible working scheme
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Travel plan discounts
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Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
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Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
The successful post holder will be subject to a Enhanced Children's DBS check.
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For an informal discussion, please don't hesitate to contact the recruiting manager below. Alternatively, please email the recruitment team on [email protected].
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Mark Powell, Service Manager (Youth Justice Team) - 01634 336236
Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.
When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.
The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:
Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.
Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.
Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.
Level A
The Youth Justice Team are seeking a Practice Manager to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.
Important Information
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Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.
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Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.
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For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.
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Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.
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Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.
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We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.
Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.
