Residential Senior Youth Support Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Beccles; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Res. C

Monthly supervision sessions

Virtual clinical supervision

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

Suffolk County Council in Beccles is seeking a Senior Youth Support Practitioner to lead a team of Youth Support Practitioners within Beccles Children’s Home. The role includes rostered shifts, sleep-in duties, and working on a two-week rota to ensure continuous care for children aged 11–17.

The post requires at least 2 years’ residential childcare experience, a Level 3 qualification in the field, and a willingness to undertake training; a driving licence or mobility alternatives are required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the role of a Residential Childcare Worker.
• At least 2 years' experience in a residential setting for children.
• Ability to model positive behaviour and act as part of the management team.
• Good communication and team-working skills.
• Willingness to undertake training to update knowledge and skills.
• Ability to work fixed shifts and travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Youth Support Practitioners to deliver high-quality care.
• Coordinate day-to-day shifts and ensure children’s wellbeing and safety.

Skills

Residential childcare

Team leadership

Communication

Flexibility

Fixed shifts

Driving licence

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (optional)

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Beccles Children's Home, Onsite working
• Salary: £40,905.50 per annum (pro rata for part time) which includes a of salary (£35,570) plus 15% unsociable hours allowance (£5,335.50) (pro rata)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, Rostered sleep in duties, Flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, we believe that when our people grow, our communities thrive. That's why we're looking for passionate Residential Senior Youth Support Practitioners to join our team.

We are committed to providing a nurturing environment for vulnerable children and young people.

Beccles Children's Home is a mixed gendered home for up to 4 children aged 11 - 17 years old who may experience some social, emotional, and mental health difficulties and who may have suffered from severe trauma. 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.

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

You will be required to undertake rostered sleep in duties. Any such duties are an additional requirement, for which you will receive national minimum wage for the hours you are rostered to sleep, on top of your salary.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Senior Youth Support Practitioner, you lead a team of Youth Support Practitioners to ensure that the best level of care is offered for the children we care for.

Seniors act as a link between the staff team and the Manager, so we can plan and support the day to day running of shifts and making sure the children are happy. But our focus is caring for the children and helping them make memories.

At times it can be challenging but knowing that we are helping improve thechildren'soutcomes makes it worthwhile.

What you will need:

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of a Residential Childcare Worker
• At least 2 years' experience of working in a residential setting for children
• Experience of being a role model when working with children or young adults
• The ability to work as part of the management team as well as a staff team
• Good communication skills and a strong team ethos
• A willingness to undertake training as required to update knowledge and skills
• 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
• The ability to work fixed shifts.

The home also welcomes applications from candidates who already hold a suitable practitioner level qualification at Level 3 for the Children and Young People's Workforce or equivalent experience in a relevant area.

24/7 Coverage:

The home operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This role works on a 2-week rolling rota, with shifts of 7:00am to 6:00pm, 11:00am to 11:00pm, and 4:00pm to 11:00pm followed by sleep-in duties. Paid sleep-in duties are a contractual requirement and attract additional remuneration. This role also requires flexibility to work weekends and bank holidays as part of the rota.

• 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.

Benefits:

• Suffolk County Council will provide you with a fully funded Level 3 Diploma in residential Child Care, to be completed within 2 years of employment required by Ofsted. You will also have the option to complete the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for residential Child Care to further your career within Social Care.
• Monthly supervision sessions.
• Virtual clinical supervision by a seasoned professional.
• Excellent benefits package.

The team

You will join a dedicated team providing round-the-clock care. The team collaborates to create a safe, structured, and nurturing environment where young residents can thrive. Each member brings unique skills and experiences, fostering a supportive atmosphere that encourages personal growth. The home is a large, detached house with spacious gardens in a pleasant residential area, focuses on building strong, trusting relationships with the children, addressing their social, emotional, and mental health needs, and helping them overcome past traumas. By working closely with parents, social workers, teachers, and other professionals, the team ensures each child's needs are met, and they receive the best possible care and support.

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 about this role, please contact Jacob Lawrence, Deputy Manager, by calling 07596 044849.

Closing date: 11:30pm, 27 October 2026

Interview date: week commence 2 November 2026

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

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.

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

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) .