We are seeking a highly skilled Advanced Social Worker or Youth Justice Practitioner to join our Youth Justice Service and play a key role in supporting children, young people, and families to achieve positive outcomes.

As an Advanced Practitioner, you will manage staff who hold complex caseload requiring high levels of professional oversight judgement, autonomy, and exemplary practice.

You will support the Team Manager in supervising staff, mentoring less experienced practitioners, and leading on safeguarding and risk management within the Youth Justice Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If your application is successful you will be required to declare any spent and unspent convictions, adult cautions (simple or conditional) that are not "protected" as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Closing date: 28th June 2026

Interviews will be held 8th/9th July 2026.

How to apply

When you are ready to apply, click on ‘Apply for Vacancy’; you will be asked to upload a CV and answer some application questions.  The application questions require a yes/no response.  Please make sure your CV shows how you meet the requirements for the role you are applying for, the job profile below will show the essential selection criteria.  An optional CV template is provided below.  

Please note:

The Council will not normally re-employ ex-employees in receipt of:

·  a severance payment (within 12 months of leaving)

·   a local government pension (applies to Senior Officers only)

unless the appointment is business critical

For further information, please email recruitment.team@bedford.gov.uk

Bedford Borough Council is proud to be a member of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Care Leavers Covenant, we pledge to interview any eligible job applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job they are applying for.  Bedford Borough Council is also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and guarantees to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for.  

Bedford Borough Council has a sponsorship licence, and may be able to offer visa sponsorship to candidates for this post that are based in the UK.