Prevention Officer

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Reading

06/05/2026

Prevention Officer

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary

£33,699 - £39,152 per year

Contractual hours

Basis

Full time

Region

Fixed-Term / Full-Time

Job category/type

Administration / Clerical, Children's Services

Date posted

23/04/2026

Job reference

DOC0069

x2 37 hours, 23 months fixed term contract

We are looking for a passionate and committed Prevention Officer to join our Youth Justice Service, working directly with children and young people who are at risk of entering the youth justice system.

This role is all about early intervention and prevention. You will build trusted relationships with children, families and partners, using strengths-based, child-first approaches to support positive outcomes and divert young people away from offending and stigma.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

In this role, you’ll work directly with children who are at risk of entering the youth justice system, offering timely, child‑first interventions to them and their families that focus on prevention, positive identity and long‑term outcomes.

You’ll act as a trusted professional at key moments in a child’s life, building strong relationships with young people, families and partner agencies, and ensuring the child’s voice shapes everything you do.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out assessments for children’s needs, risks, safety and wellbeing using Youth Justice Board–approved tools
• Delivering targeted, evidence‑based interventions through one‑to‑one and small group work
• Working as a key worker to develop outcome‑focused plans and support meaningful, sustained change
• Engaging children with complex needs, including those who may be reluctant to work with services
• Supporting early identification and prevention of offending and serious violence

You’ll also work closely with families, schools, police and partner services to provide wrap‑around, preventative support. This includes acting as an Appropriate Adult in PACE interviews, working with children in police custody at teachable moments, and contributing to a whole‑family approach that keeps children and victims safe.

About you

You’re passionate about supporting children and young people to thrive, and you believe strongly in seeing children as children. You bring empathy, persistence and professionalism to your work and are confident balancing supportive relationships with clear boundaries. You’ll bring relevant experience and the ability to work effectively in a pressured, multi‑agency environment, with a strong commitment to inclusive and anti‑discriminatory practice.

You’ll ideally have:

• A relevant qualification (such as Youth Work or NVQ Level 4) or equivalent professional experience
• Significant experience working with young people, including those involved in or at risk of the justice system
• Experience of completing assessments, developing plans and delivering targeted interventions
• The ability to engage confidently with children and families who may be resistant to support
• Experience of multi‑agency working and information sharing

You’ll also be organised, adaptable and self‑motivated, able to manage a caseload effectively while working both independently and as part of a supportive team. A commitment to continuous professional development and helping improve outcomes for children in Reading is essential.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact ***email_hidden***

Closing Date: 6th May

Interview Date: 15th May

Interview Process: Panel interview and assessed tasks

Prevention Officer