Relief Youth Support Practitioners

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government authority in Ipswich is seeking Relief Youth Support Practitioners to support vulnerable children and young people in a nurturing environment. The role involves working fixed shifts, providing daily care, building strong relationships, and ensuring safety and well-being. Candidates should have strong communication skills and a willingness to learn. Opportunities for career progression and training are available.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake training as required.
• Ability to work fixed shifts.
• Experience in residential care or youth work is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support for vulnerable children.
• Help children with social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.
• Build strong relationships with residents.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Full and current driving licence

Job description

Overview

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Bury St Edmunds, Halesworth, Ipswich, Lowestoft and Stowmarket - Onsite
• Salary: £14.82 per hour
• Hours: Casual hours: No guaranteed hours. As and when required
• Contract: Casual basis

We believe that when our people grow, our communities thrive. That’s why we’re looking for passionate Relief Youth Support Practitioners to join our team. We are committed to providing a nurturing environment for vulnerable children and young people.

Reimagine the possibilities

We provide support for the children in our care to achieve the best possible outcomes in all aspects of their lives, including education, health, and social and fun activities, as well as supporting them to build positive and appropriate relationships. We believe every child deserves a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive.

If you are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people and can work fixed shifts, we want to hear from you. This rewarding role offers the chance to change futures in a home from home.

Your role and responsibilities

You will:

• work as part of a dedicated team to provide day-to-day support for some of the most vulnerable children in the county
• help children who may experience social, emotional, and mental health difficulties, including those who have experienced trauma and display high-level challenging behaviours
• build strong, trusting relationships with young residents, monitoring their wellbeing, and encouraging their personal growth and independence

You will need

• a willingness to undertake training as required to update knowledge and skills
• to either hold a full and current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means
• to be able to work fixed shifts

Suffolk County Council will provide you with a fully funded Level 3 Diploma in residential Child Care, to be completed within 2 years of joining the home by Ofsted. This qualification will also enable you to enhance your career development into potential senior roles. There may also be opportunities for you to join the team on a permanent basis.

We welcome applications from candidates from all types of work and life experiences, including individuals who have experience in:

• Residential Care
• Youth Work
• Learning Support
• Health Care
• Education
• Family Support

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

24/7 Coverage

• The homes operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Fixed shifts: Shifts are 7am - 6pm, 11am - 11pm, and 5pm - 11pm with sleep-in
• Consistent staffing: Ensures staff are always present during critical times, providing stability for the children
• Meeting individual needs: The rota helps in planning and implementing effective care plans
• Team collaboration: Structured rota allows for effective communication and teamwork
• Flexibility within structure: While the rota is fixed, it strives to offer some flexibility to accommodate staff needs

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

For an informal discussion, please contact Beth Fletcher by calling 07732 603793.

You will be required to attend a Warner Interview for this position as part of the recruitment process.

How to apply

1. Step 1 - Please read the Job and Person Profile (Word) before applying for this job opportunity.
2. Step 2 - Click Apply Now to start your online application.
3. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

1. Explain a situation where you had to ensure the safety and well-being of a child or young person. What actions did you take, and how did you ensure that the child’s needs were met?
2. This role requires working fixed shifts, including weekends and bank holidays. Can you provide an example of how you have managed your time effectively while working in a role with similar shift requirements? How do you ensure that you maintain a healthy work-life balance while meeting the demands of fixed shifts?
3. Give an example of a situation where you had to communicate effectively with a young person who was experiencing emotional distress. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format. If you would like an adjustment to this process due to a disability, please contact us at 03456 014412 or [e-mail]

Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 October 2025

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #Onsite

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).