Youth Support Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Burgh St. Peter; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Flexible working options

Training and development

Career progression opportunities

Annual leave

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Senior Youth Support Practitioner for Beccles Children's Home, a mixed-gender home for up to 4 children aged 11–17 with complex needs. You will lead a team of Youth Support Practitioners, safeguard children, and support positive outcomes through education, health, and social activities.

The role requires rostered sleep-in duties and fixed shifts, with salary details reflecting responsibilities and unsociable hours.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of residential childcare and safeguarding
• At least 2 years in a residential setting for children
• Ability to lead a team and collaborate with management and staff
• Good communication and teamwork skills
• Willingness to undertake required training and development
• Mobility: driving licence or suitable alternative

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Youth Support Practitioners to deliver high-quality care
• Safeguard children and respond to safeguarding concerns
• Manage fixed shifts and rostered sleep-in duties with belt and braces
• Contribute to care planning and delivery of education, health and activities
• Collaborate with families and multidisciplinary teams to support outcomes

Skills

Team leadership

Safeguarding

Communication skills

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management

Job description

This post is open to current Suffolk County Council staff on redeployment only. At Suffolk County Council, we believe that when our people grow, our communities thrive. That's why we're looking for passionate 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 can work 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.

• As a Senior Youth Support Practitioner, you will lead a team of Youth Support Practitioners. Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully led a team in a challenging situation? What strategies did you use to ensure effective teamwork and positive outcomes?
• Safeguarding is a critical aspect of this role. Can you discuss a time when you identified a safeguarding concern and how you handled it?
• Transition periods in solo children’s homes can be particularly challenging and may sometimes require physical interventions to ensure a child’s safety. Can you describe how you would approach carrying out such interventions, and how you would work to rebuild trust and relationships with the child afterward?
• 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?
• DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite 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 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.

Employment Details

• Salary: £40,905.50 per annum (pro rata) 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, 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.
• 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.

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

The team

• Tell the applicant about your team's purpose and how you fulfil it. Share what motivates you and makes you proud to be part of the team.
• Describe the culture and values that bring your team together. Highlight the collaborative spirit and any unique traditions.
• Explain why it's rewarding to be on your team. Share opportunities for growth, camaraderie, and making an impact.
• Include any specific details about your team's ways of working. For example, 'our office days are usually on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, we practice hybrid working'.

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.