Senior Youth Support Practitioner

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

Benefits offered by this job

Diploma funding

Supervision program

Career development

Sleep-in allowance

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is hiring a Senior Youth Support Practitioner to lead a small team at Shotley Children’s Home, Suffolk. The role includes overseeing daily care, coordinating activities, and ensuring safeguarding and wellbeing for a child aged 11–17.

The post involves fixed shifts and sleep-in duties as part of the contract. The position offers a competitive salary (£40,905 including a 15% unsociable hours allowance) and opportunities for level 3/5 diploma development within a supportive

Qualifications

• At least 2 years experience of working in a residential setting for children.
• Ability to be a role model when working with children or young adults.
• Willingness to undertake training to update knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team providing care for children and young people.
• Coordinate daily activities with the Manager and guide staff.
• Ensure every child feels valued, safe and happy.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.

Skills

Residential Youth Work

Teamwork

Communication skills

Safeguarding

Self-motivated

Calm under pressure

Driving license

Education

Level 3 Practitioner qualification

Job description

Suffolk County Council are looking fora Senior Youth Support Practitioner to join our team based at Shotley Children's Home, Suffolk. The successful candidate will earn a competitive salary of £40,905 which includes a salary of £35,570 plus 15% unsociable hours allowance £5,335 per annum (pro rata for part time). You will be required to undertake rostered sleep in duties. These duties are a contractual requirement, for which you will receive national minimum wage for the hours you are rostered to sleep, on top of your salary. £21.20 hourly rate (this includes the hourly rate of £18.44 plus the 15% unsociable hours allowance).

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

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

You will join a small, dedicated team providing high-quality care and support within a one-bed children's home in Shotley. The home offers a nurturing, safe, and stable environment for one child or young person aged 11-17, with staffing arrangements typically comprising two staff members on duty to ensure consistent support and positive relationship building.

We provide support for the children and young people 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 and young person 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

As a Senior Youth Support Practitioner, you will lead and support a team dedicated to providing the very best care for children and young people. Working closely with the Manager, you will help coordinate daily activities, guide staff, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to feel valued, have fun, and create positive memories. Although there can be challenging moments, knowing that you are helping children thrive makes this a truly rewarding role.

You will:

• bring personality, life skills, and experience to help our children and young people develop, grow and have fulfilling lives
• be an integral part of a team that ensures every child and young person who walks through our doors feel welcome, cared for, safe and happy
• listen to children and families and work collaboratively with them
• be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• be self-motivated and be able to work without constant supervision
• have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations

What you will need

• Knowledge and understanding of the role of a Residential Youth Support Practitioner
• 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
• 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.

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.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile in the how to apply section.

About the home

The homes operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which means you will work flexibly across a 4-week rolling rota, including weekends and bank holidays, with shifts typically covering 7am 6pm and 5pm 11pm, followed by a sleep-in shift from 11pm 7.30am.

This ensures:

• 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.
• Sleep-in duties are an additional contractual requirement. For these duties, you will receive National Minimum Wage for the hours you are rostered to sleep, in addition to your salary.

Closing date:? 11.30 pm, 8 November 2026.

Interview and Warner Interview date: 18 or 20 November 2026.

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 checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.