Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week this year we spoke to Jade Boyd, a Youth Justice Officer from Plymouth City Council, about her experience of the Level 5 Youth Justice Practitioner apprenticeship.
Why the Level 5 Youth Justice Practitioner apprenticeship
Keen to progress in her youth justice career and gain responsibility for more complex, high-risk cases, Jade decided to enrol on the Level 5 apprenticeship programme through training provider Unitas. Jade was pleased that the apprenticeship supported the knowledge and skills required for her role:
“I am very fortunate that this apprenticeship has given me the direct knowledge, skills, practice and theory to support me in my role as a Youth Justice Officer. The modules were reviewed and updated to recent theory and research. I have learnt so much over the last 2 and a half years.”
Putting theory into practice
Those who work in youth justice interact with children up to the age of 18 who are involved in offending or anti-social behaviour. They often work with disadvantaged children who have multiple complex needs. As part of her apprenticeship, Jade was able to put theory into practice and understand what works and what doesn’t work:
“I have a better understanding of child first, relational practice and how to engage the most vulnerable children in a pro-social way.”
Growing passion for youth justice
Like many working in this sector, Jade is truly passionate about what she does. This passion has only been accelerated as a result of her apprenticeship journey.
“I had a huge passion for youth justice and working with the most vulnerable children before this course, but my apprenticeship has led me to new passions in contextual safeguarding and risk outside the home. I genuinely believe the apprenticeship has made me a better practitioner.”
Benefits of on-the-job learning
Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to combine theoretical knowledge with on-the-job learning. Jade found the on-the-job aspects of her apprenticeship particularly beneficial:
“For someone with ADHD, I do struggle with normal education settings. Being able to do this in my own time and then apply the learning to my work and job on a week-to-week basis has been invaluable.”
Experience of the Apprenticeship Assessment
The final stage of an apprenticeship in England is the Apprenticeship Assessment. This is an impartial assessment, carried out by a regulated and independent body. For the Level 5 Youth Justice Practitioner apprenticeship standard, a 5,000-word project report makes up part of this assessment. Jade found this aspect of the assessment helpful to reflect on her work each week:
“Having to build a portfolio and showcase my work has made me think about each week’s learning and embed what I am learning into what I am doing. As a student with neurodiversity, this has been a much nicer way to learn, and it complemented how I learn best.”
Completing the apprenticeship
Jade was the first person nationally to complete the Level 5 Youth Justice Practitioner apprenticeship standard. Despite working in a demanding role and undergoing a neurodiversity assessment herself, Jade never let her standards slip, achieving a distinction for the programme.
It could seem daunting to be one of the first to undertake an apprenticeship, but Jade has taken it all in her stride. When we asked her what her advice is to future apprentices, Jade said:
“Do it, it will change your life! I have no regrets coming into this, even with being one of the first to do so. It is a huge commitment but one you can manage around your work life and personal life. This course has led me to passions I didn’t even know I had!”
Jade won Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 Inspire Justice Awards for her incredible energy and commitment as an apprentice. Her curiosity and passion for youth justice extends far beyond her apprenticeship. She has utilised her apprenticeship as recognised prior learning for a Level 6 Degree (Youth Justice) with Unitas and aims to be at an equivalent level to social workers in terms of grading, pay and professionalism.
Assessment Organisation: SFJ Awards
SFJ Awards deliver the assessment for the Level 5 Youth Justice Practitioner apprenticeship standard. We are recognised for our comprehensive understanding of the unique requirements of apprenticeships within local authorities, probation, and youth justice, and we are leading experts when it comes to assessing standards in these areas.
Find out more about the assessment for this apprenticeship
