Young Offenders Support Assistant- Leeds

Job Title: Young Offenders Support Assistant
Location: Leeds
Contract Type: Full-time / Term-time
Salary: £100- £105 per day
Employer: Independent Alternative Provision School

We are currently recruiting a Young Offenders Support Assistant to work with young people who are involved with, or at risk of, offending behaviour within a specialist alternative provision in Leeds.

This role requires a resilient, proactive, and trauma-informed individual who can support young people to make safer choices, reduce risk, and re-engage with education and positive pathways.

The provision supports learners who may present with complex behavioural needs and may be known to services such as Youth Offending Teams (YOT), social care, or other external agencies.

The setting operates across two sites – a main education provision and an outdoor learning environment – offering a blend of practical, vocational, and therapeutic approaches. The successful candidate must be flexible and willing to work across both.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide targeted support to young people at risk of offending or involved in the youth justice system
• Build positive, professional relationships with learners who may be disengaged from education and authority
• Support behaviour management using restorative and trauma-informed approaches
• Act as a positive role model, promoting pro-social behaviour and decision-making
• Support learners in understanding consequences, choices, and personal responsibility
• Contribute to risk management and intervention strategies
  Work towards individual targets set within EHCPs, behaviour plans, and intervention programmes
• Maintain accurate records relating to behaviour, engagement, and risk factors
• Support emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and life skills development
• Work collaboratively with teaching staff, safeguarding leads, and external agencies (e.g. YOT, social care, police)
• Promote engagement, self-esteem, and positive future pathways

The Young People

• Aged 11–17
• Present with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs
• May be at risk of or involved in offending behaviour
• May display behaviours linked to trauma, exploitation (CCE), or adverse childhood experiences
• Require clear boundaries, consistency, and strong relational support

  Person Specification
  Minimum of 6 months’ experience working with young people with challenging or high-risk behaviours (professional or personal capacity)
  Experience supporting disengaged or “at risk” young people
  Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-agency team
  Understanding of safeguarding policies and risk management

  Desirable Experience
  Experience working within youth justice, YOT, or intervention-based roles
  Experience in alternative provision, youth work, or specialist education settings
  Experience supporting young people involved in anti-social behaviour or offending pathways
  Experience liaising with external agencies and multi-agency teams

  Qualifications (Desirable, not essential)
  Youth Work, Criminology, Psychology, or related qualification
  First Aid qualification
  Knowledge & Understanding
  Understanding of risk factors linked to youth offending
  Awareness of Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and county lines
  Understanding of trauma-informed and restorative approaches
  Awareness of social and environmental factors impacting young people

  Skills & Abilities
  Strong communication skills with young people, families, and professionals
  Ability to de-escalate high-risk and challenging situations calmly
  Ability to manage conflict and support restorative conversations
  Problem-solving and reflective practice skills
  Basic IT skills for record keeping and reporting
  Ability to motivate and inspire positive behavioural change
  Personal Attributes
  Resilient, calm, and emotionally intelligent
  Able to build rapport with young people who may mistrust authority or professionals
  Firm but fair approach with clear boundaries
  Values equality, diversity, and inclusion
  Maintains confidentiality and professional boundaries
  Motivated, reliable, and flexible