Senior Youth Support Practitioner (Internal)

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Lowestoft Children's Home - Onsite
• Salary: £39,599 per annum (pro rata if part time) which includes a salary of £34,434 plus 15% unsociable hours allowance £5,165 (pro rata if part time)
• 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

• £20.52 hourly rate (this includes the hourly rate of £17.85 plus the 15% unsociable hours allowance)

• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

This post is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only.

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

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.

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 the children's outcomes makes it worthwhile. 

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 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, or are working towards, 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   
• 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. 
   

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile. 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. 

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.

Take a look at what makes our Ideal Worker, shaped by the voices of young people: find out more.

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 either Louisa Nimmo, Children’s Homes Manager, by calling 01502 674845 or Paula Stacey, Deputy Children's Homes Manager, by calling 07395 360822.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word)

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

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. 

1. 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?
2. Safeguarding is a critical aspect of this role. Can you discuss a time when you identified a safeguarding concern and how you handled it?
3. 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?
4. 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? 

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 [email protected] 

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply?

If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at [email protected] or 03456 014412.  You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 26 July 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.