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Youth offending team officer

Alternative titles for this job include Youth offending service officer

Youth offending team officers work to prevent children and young people under 18 from offending and reoffending.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£38,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

University

You could do a foundation degree, degree or postgraduate award in:

  • youth work
  • youth justice
  • social work
  • criminology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a youth justice practitioner higher apprenticeship.

You'll need paid or voluntary experience of working with young people and sometimes adults in challenging situations. This could include in hostels, special schools, family support teams, residential childcare or youth services.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Volunteering

You can start by volunteering to work with young people. For example, mentoring will give you an understanding of the issues they face.

You can also support young people in the criminal justice system by volunteering as an appropriate adult. Opportunities and training are organised locally.

You can get more information on volunteering opportunities in your area from Do-it and at NCVO.

Direct Application

You may be able to apply directly for jobs if you have relevant experience and a qualification in:

  • youth work
  • probation
  • social work
  • policing

More Information

Further information

You'll find more details about working with young people, training and volunteering through the Youth Justice Board.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of psychology
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work on your own
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you might:

  • carry out risk assessments and manage risk of reoffending
  • prepare reports for the courts before sentencing
  • provide support to young offenders to prevent reoffending
  • make referrals to other agencies like housing, or drug and alcohol misuse services
  • supervise young offenders on court orders, community sentences, and after release from secure institutions
  • help young offenders into education, work or training
  • encourage young people to take part in constructive activities
  • visit young people in secure institutions

Working environment

You could work in a court, at a client's home, in a prison, in the community, at a police station or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to team leader or team manager.

With further training you could move into social work or educational welfare.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a youth offending team officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds

OCN L3 Access to HE: Social Work (ADACSWK)

  • Provider: LONDON SOUTH EAST COLLEGES
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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