Bedford Borough Council is recruiting an experienced and motivated Social Worker (Youth Offending) to join its dedicated team. This is a unique opportunity to play a vital role in supporting young people and their families, helping to reduce re-offending, improve life outcomes, and strengthen community wellbeing.
As part of the Youth Offending Service, you will work closely with partner agencies to deliver high-quality, person-centred interventions. This position offers the chance to develop your career in a supportive environment, with access to ongoing training, professional development, and structured progression opportunities.
The Council holds a UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence and may be able to provide sponsorship for eligible candidates currently based in the UK. This makes it an excellent opportunity for qualified social workers seeking long-term stability and career growth.
If you are passionate about youth justice, safeguarding, and making a positive difference, this role offers the chance to build a rewarding career in local government social work.
Position: Social Worker
Salary: £39,152 – £40,777 per annum
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Bedfordshire
Job description
Do you have experience in Youth Justice?
Do you share a passion for helping and supporting children and their families and victims of youth crime, to improve their lives and make communities safer?
We are currently recruiting for a Social Worker to join our Youth Offending team. The successful candidate will work hard to prevent and reduce youth crime by proactive engagement.
On a daily basis you will manage a caseload of youth justice cases, working innovatively with young people from diverse backgrounds and engaging them, their families and other professionals.
Directly contributing to youth justice service outcomes by creatively engaging young people who are subject to youth justice orders and interventions. Best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion will feature throughout the work.
You will be required to write reports to a high standard and within tight timeframes for Youth Magistrates and Crown Courts and to confidently present these reports to the Court in person as required and cover Court duty as and when required.
This is a Bedfordshire based role with a requirement to be office based a minimum of two days a week.
The Council has a sponsorship licence and may be able to offer visa sponsorship to candidates based in the UK.
We are unable to consider applications from candidates applying from overseas who require visa sponsorship.
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.
Closing Date: 22nd September 2025
Interview Date: 6th October 2025.
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.
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).
Additional Vacancy Information
Allowance (pro rata for part time roles)
Market Rate Supplement
Work Pattern
Monday to Friday and occasional Saturday
Is this an enhanced DBS role?
Yes
Is this a politically restricted role?
No
Is this a customer facing role which requires a fluent English Speaker?
Yes
Vacancy Location
Location
Bedfordshire
Location
Bedford Borough Hall
Is this a designated car user position?
Yes
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates should kindly visit the OFFICIAL WEBPAGE TO APPLY
Application Deadline
September 22nd , 2025