Youth Support Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Lowestoft; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded Level 3 Diploma in RC

Level 5 Diploma pathway in Leadership

Monthly supervision sessions

Sleep-in duties paid at NMW

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a dedicated Youth Support Practitioner for Lowestoft Children’s Home. The role is permanent and onsite, with fixed shifts including sleep-in duties to support vulnerable children aged 11-17.

You will work within a small team to deliver care plans, safeguarding, and collaborative activities with families and professionals. The post offers a pathway to professional development with funded Level 3 and Level 5 Diplomas in residential Child Care, monthly supervision,

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake training to update knowledge and skills.
• Hold a full and current driving licence with access to personal transport or mobility equivalent.
• Ability to work fixed shifts.

Responsibilities

• Promote the development of children and young people within the environment.
• Safeguard all children from threats to their health and welfare.
• Maintain a safe and sensitive atmosphere that meets the needs of the children.
• Develop and maintain good relationships with parents, social workers, teachers, and other professionals.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records.
• Deliver effective communications within the Home and with outside agencies and the community.
• Assist in planning and implementing care plans for children in collaboration with other professionals.
• Administer children's medication in accordance with procedures.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and supervisions.

Skills

Driving licence

Willingness to learn

Fixed shifts

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Child Care

Job description

- Address: Lowestoft Children’s Home - Onsite

- Salary: £33,973 per annum pro rata which includes a of salary (£29,542) plus 15% unsociable hours allowance (£4,431) pro rata

- You will be required to undertake rostered sleep in duties. Any such 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

- £17.60 hourly rate (this includes the hourly rate of £15.31 plus the 15% unsociable hours allowance)

- Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, we believe that when our people grow, our communities thrive. That's why we're looking for a passionate Youth Support Practitioner to join our team. We are committed to providing a nurturing environment for vulnerable children and young people.

Lowestoft Children’s Home is a mixed-gender residential home for children and young people aged 11 - 17 years old. 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

• promote the development of children and young people within the environment
• safeguard all children from threats to their health and welfare
• maintain a safe and sensitive atmosphere that meets the needs of the children
• develop and maintain good relationships with parents, social workers, teachers, and other professionals
• maintain accurate and detailed records
• deliver effective communications within the Home and with outside agencies and the community
• assist in planning and implementing care plans for children in collaboration with other professionals
• administer children's medication in accordance with procedures
• attend and participate in team meetings and supervisions.

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.

You can view a full list of requirements in theJob and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

The homes operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which means:

• fixed shifts with sleep-in duty – rota pattern.
• 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
• Excellent benefits package.
• Salary includes a salary of £33,973 per annum (pro rata) which includes a of salary (£29,542) plus 15% unsociable hours allowance (£4,431) pro rata
• 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.

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

Please contact Louisa Nimmo, Children’s Homes Manager, or Paula Stacey, Deputy Children’s Homes Manager, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01502 674845 (Louisa Nimmo) or 07395 360822 (Paula Stacey).

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

Closing date:11.30pm, 15 November 2026

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