Youth Justice Worker

Youth Justice Worker – HMP Feltham A | £43,290 Salary | Ministry of Justice

Youth Justice Worker – HMP Feltham A

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is recruiting Youth Justice Workers at HMP/YOI Feltham A in Feltham, London.

This is an opportunity to work directly with children and young people in custody, supporting their safety, wellbeing and development while helping them build better futures.

Starting salary: £43,290 per year for a 39-hour week, including the applicable 20% unsocial-hours allowance.

Job Reference: 20610
Employer: Ministry of Justice
Department: Feltham A
Location: HMP/YOI Feltham, Bedfont Road, Feltham, TW13 4NP
Region: London
Civil Service Grade: AO
Job Type: Full-time, Part-time, Part-time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Campaign Type: Merit
Closing Date: 1 October 2026
Security Check: DBS Enhanced

About the Youth Justice Worker Role

The Youth Justice Worker role is similar to that of a prison officer but is specifically focused on supporting children and young people in custody.

You will have an important role in maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment while providing day-to-day support to young people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

The Youth Custody Service is transforming its workforce and is looking for people who can demonstrate empathy, sound judgement, strong communication skills and a genuine commitment to helping vulnerable young people.

Comprehensive training and development will be provided to help successful candidates understand the complexities of youth custody and respond appropriately to challenging and dynamic situations.

What You Will Do

As a Youth Justice Worker, you will contribute to the safe and effective operation of the establishment while supporting children and young people in custody.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Maintaining the security and safety of children and young people.
• Providing day-to-day support within a custodial environment.
• Supervising young people to ensure their safety.
• Facilitating and overseeing safe movement around the site.
• Responding to incidents and interventions when required.
• Managing challenging behaviour appropriately.
• De-escalating difficult or potentially volatile situations.
• Applying conflict-resolution techniques.
• Supporting young people to make positive changes.
• Working with children, young people and their families or carers.
• Identifying and assessing complex needs.
• Agreeing appropriate interventions or referrals.
• Working collaboratively with other professionals and organisations.
• Using evidence-based approaches to inform your practice.
• Reviewing the effectiveness of your actions and interventions.
• Providing appropriate challenge and support to help young people reach their potential.
• Supporting safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Who Can Apply?

One of the key advantages of this vacancy is that no formal qualifications are required to become a Youth Justice Worker.

The Ministry of Justice is primarily looking for candidates who can demonstrate the right personal qualities and abilities.

You should have:

• Strong communication skills.
• Strong influencing skills.
• Good decision-making abilities.
• Empathy and understanding.
• A commitment to high standards of care and service.
• A genuine interest in supporting children and young people.
• The ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
• The ability to work effectively with other professionals.

Essential Eligibility Requirements

To become a Youth Justice Worker, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old when you commence employment.
• Meet the applicable Civil Service Nationality requirements.
• Pass the required medical and fitness assessment.
• Meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes, with and without corrective lenses.
• Meet the required hearing standard without the use of hearing aids.
• Meet the applicable requirements relating to tattoos.
• Have the legal right to live and work in the UK and the Civil Service.

Because this is a physically active role, successful candidates must be able to meet the required medical and fitness standards.

Driving Licence Requirement

A driving licence and access to your own transport can be beneficial for some establishments, but it is not an essential requirement unless specifically stated for the vacancy.

Applicants should nevertheless carefully consider their transport arrangements.

Shift start and finish times are fixed, and employees are responsible for arriving at work on time for their shifts.

Working Hours and Shift Patterns

Young Offender Institutions operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Youth Justice Workers therefore need to be prepared to work a range of shifts, including:

• Evening shifts.
• Some night shifts.
• Weekend shifts.
• Public holiday shifts.

The standard working week is based on 39 hours per week.

During the initial training period, employees will work 37 hours per week.

After training, employees may have the option to work:

• 37 hours per week
• 39 hours per week
• 41 hours per week

Additional paid working hours may also be available.

Salary

The salary depends on the number of weekly hours worked.

The advertised figures include applicable allowances for the role and location.

The advertised starting salary for the standard 39-hour working pattern is £43,290 per year.

Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship

Important for international applicants:

The Ministry of Justice states that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available subject to eligibility and the UK Immigration Rules in force at the time of application.

However, the advert also clearly states that:

Sponsorship is not guaranteed. Candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored if applying to this campaign because of current immigration requirements and recruitment timescales.

Applicants are therefore strongly advised to check their own right to work in the UK before applying.

Do not assume that this vacancy automatically provides a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Benefits

Successful employees may receive a range of Civil Service benefits, including:

• 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service.
• Paid time off for public holidays.
• One additional privilege day.
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Travel loans.
• Other Civil Service employee benefits.

Training and Career Progression

The role offers a structured development pathway.

After successfully completing the 12-month probationary period, Youth Justice Workers will be offered the opportunity to undertake a Level 4 qualification focused on working with children and young people in custody.

Further career development may include progression to a Band 4 Youth Justice Worker Specialist position after successful completion of the qualification.

Ongoing training and development may also cover specialist areas such as:

• Child protection.
• Safeguarding.
• Youth custody practice.
• Behaviour management.
• Supporting vulnerable young people.

Recruitment and Assessment Process

Candidates will be assessed against the behaviours, strengths and abilities required to become an effective Youth Justice Worker.

These include:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Caring

The recruitment process will also assess:

• Numerical ability.
• Written English.
• Spoken English.
• Natural strengths and motivations.

Online Tests

After completing the initial application form, candidates may be invited to complete the first stage of the online assessment.

This test assesses basic judgement and numerical skills expected for the role.

Candidates who successfully pass Stage 1 may then be invited to the Stage 2 Values-Based Assessment (VBA).

The VBA is designed to assess whether candidates demonstrate the values required to become an effective Youth Justice Worker.

Candidates who successfully pass the VBA may progress to the Online Assessment Centre (OAC).

Online Assessment Centre

The Online Assessment Centre assesses the abilities, behaviours and strengths required for the Youth Justice Worker role.

Assessment places may depend on demand and available capacity.

Candidates achieving a higher predetermined VBA score may receive an invitation to the OAC sooner.

Candidates who achieve the required VBA pass mark but are not initially invited may remain under consideration and could be invited later as additional assessment capacity becomes available.

Candidates who were unsuccessful at Stage 2 of the online test within the previous six months may now be eligible to reapply.

Merit Campaign

This vacancy is being recruited through a merit campaign.

Candidates who successfully complete the Online Assessment Centre will be placed on a merit list according to their assessment score.

When positions become available, job offers will be made to candidates with the highest scores first.

The merit list can remain valid for 12 months.

Successful assessment-centre results can also remain valid for 12 months when applying for vacancies at other prisons.

If an application is unsuccessful at the sift or assessment stage, a six-month waiting period may apply before another application for Youth Justice Worker positions can be submitted.

Alternative Operational Support Grade Opportunity

The Online Assessment Centre may also assess candidates for suitability for an Operational Support Grade (OSG) role.

If a candidate is unsuccessful in securing a Youth Justice Worker position following the OAC, they may instead be considered for an alternative OSG position.

Medical and Fitness Assessment

Once a suitable vacancy has been identified, candidates may be invited to complete a medical and fitness assessment.

The assessment includes:

• Eyesight testing.
• Hearing testing.
• Basic health screening.
• Blood pressure checks.
• Fitness assessment.

Important: The Ministry of Justice states that medical and fitness assessments cannot be facilitated outside the UK.

Applicants must therefore be able to attend a UK-based medical and fitness assessment centre to progress their application.

DBS and Security Checks

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a DBS Enhanced security check.

The role involves working with children and young people, making appropriate safeguarding and security checks an essential part of the recruitment process.

Nationality Requirements

The vacancy is broadly open to:

• UK nationals.
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland.
• Commonwealth nationals who have the right to work in the UK.
• Eligible EU Settlement Scheme applicants.
• Eligible nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and qualifying family members who have made a valid EUSS application.
• Individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for the EUSS on or before 31 December 2020.
• Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Successful applicants must maintain the legal right to live and work in the UK and the Civil Service.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

All staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The successful candidate must undertake the appropriate safeguarding training and work in accordance with the organisation’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

This is a particularly important part of the Youth Justice Worker position because employees will work directly with vulnerable children and young people.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Ministry of Justice is a Disability Confident employer and provides reasonable adjustment support to eligible candidates.

Applicants who require adjustments should indicate this when completing the application.

It is important to request reasonable adjustments before completing online tests or attending the Online Assessment Centre, as assessors may not be able to accommodate requests made on the day.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Applications

AI tools may be used to support an application, but applicants must ensure that all examples and statements are:

• Truthful.
• Factually accurate.
• Based on their own experience.

Plagiarism or presenting AI-generated content or another person’s experiences as your own may result in the application being withdrawn.

Applicants should therefore use AI responsibly and ensure that their application accurately represents their own skills and experience.

Why Consider This Youth Justice Worker Job?

This role could be suitable for people who want a career where their work can have a direct impact on the lives of vulnerable young people.

You do not need formal qualifications to become a Youth Justice Worker, but you will need the right personal qualities, communication skills, judgement and commitment.

The position also provides:

• A competitive salary.
• Civil Service employment.
• Structured training.
• A Level 4 qualification opportunity after probation.
• Potential career progression.
• Civil Service pension benefits.
• Paid annual leave.
• Opportunities for additional paid hours.

Job Summary

Job Title: Youth Justice Worker – HMP Feltham A
Employer: Ministry of Justice
Job Reference: 20610
Location: Feltham, London
Workplace: HMP/YOI Feltham, Bedfont Road, Feltham TW13 4NP
Grade: AO
Salary: £40,840 – £45,379 depending on hours
Standard Salary: £43,290 for 39 hours per week
Hours: 37, 39 or 41 hours after training
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, job share and flexible working
Closing Date: 1 October 2026
Security Clearance: DBS Enhanced
Campaign: Merit
Formal Qualifications: Not required
Driving Licence: Not essential unless specifically stated
Visa Sponsorship: May be available subject to eligibility, but sponsorship is not guaranteed and candidates requiring sponsorship are unlikely to be sponsored for this campaign.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official Ministry of Justice careers website.

Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements, immigration position, assessment process, working hours and medical requirements before submitting an application.

Job Reference: 20610

Apply Now – Youth Justice Worker HMP Feltham A

Closing date: 1 October 2026

Important Notice

This vacancy information is based on the Ministry of Justice job advertisement. Requirements, salary, immigration rules, recruitment timelines and vacancy availability may change.

Applicants should always check the official vacancy before applying and should not assume that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship or a Certificate of Sponsorship is guaranteed.