Ealing Youth Offending Service is looking for a Head of Service to replace the outgoing Head who is retiring. We are committed to helping young offenders change their behaviour and to reduce offending and anti-social behaviour amongst children and young people. The Council and its partners have a strong commitment to delivering safer communities. The challenges for the service are immense, but we are making good progress with a recent successful Inspection, improvements in performance and very positive and innovative staff team.

We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic and suitably qualified person to help build on this progress and the successful applicant should hold a relevant professional qualification, have experience in youth justice or related field and significant experience of managing staff, budgets and premises. In addition, you must be able to demonstrate your ability to:

* lead and develop a youth crime reduction strategy and co-ordinate and improve preventative work with children and young people at risk of offending and/or anti-social behaviour
* develop and implement partnership strategies to reduce levels of gang and serious youth violence across the borough
* develop effective partnerships between statutory, voluntary and independent agencies, including those not directly involved in the work of the Youth Offending Service
* produce, implement and monitor an annual Youth Justice Plan and/or self-assessment and action plans as required
* ensure the achievement of high standards of evidence-based good practice in direct work with young offenders, their families and victims to improve their life chances
* develop strong and effective partnership working with colleagues across Children's Services and Schools.

If you are interested in this post and would like to discuss it further, please telephone Marcella Phelan, Assistant Director for Children and Families (Partnerships, Planning and Commissioning), on 020 8825 8848.

Ealing council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Ealing follows safer recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults. The post holder will be subject to an enhanced criminals records bureau check.

This role is subject to Ealing's enhanced vetting process.

To apply please visit our website.

Closing date: 20 April 2012.

Ealing Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.