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General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
06-Jul-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SCS 2
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
6968

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Reporting to the Director General for Operations, the Executive Director for the Youth Custody Service is a member of the HM Prison and Probation Higher Leadership Team (HLT), the Agency Board, and has direct accountability for the management of children (aged 10-18) detained in custody in England & Wales by the Court.

The role includes direct line management responsibility for three Deputy Directors, and through them direct management of three Youth Offender Institutions, the contract management of a privately-run STC, oversight of a discrete children’s unit in a privately operated adult site, the management of commissioned places in local authority operated Secure Children’s Homes, and the operation of a Secure School run by a charity.



Additional Information
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.


Please view our candidate information pack for full details about the role, key responsibilities person specification, and the criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment process. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, and feel that you meet the criteria, we would welcome your application
Contact Information
If you require any assistance please contact us on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference in your email to enable us to support you more quickly.

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please provide a short statement to evidence how you meet the essential criteria required for the role:
● A track record of strong leadership including experience of leading large, geographically dispersed staff groups across multiple business units and of delivering significant organisational change and improvement
● Significant senior operational delivery experience, in custodial management or secure care, preferably with children/young people, with an ability to think strategically and develop innovative and practical solutions to the management of complex operational and strategic issues
● Success in building and developing effective partnerships, negotiating with and influencing senior and other stakeholders to enable delivery of a complex range of goals
● Proven ability to effectively manage budgets and contracts and deliver value for money
● A strong understanding and experience of strategic planning and delivery, including ideally SRO / Programme Management
● An understanding of and commitment to equalities and diversity in employment and service delivery
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected week commencing 4th August 2025
Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation, SEE
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic
Security Clearance (SC)