Residential Youth Support Practitioner - Redeployment 23450 in Lowestoft

Suffolk County Council

Address: Lowestoft, Suffolk - Onsite

Salary: £32,887 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus additional payment for rostered sleep in duties (see benefits), £17.04 hourly rate (this includes the hourly rate of £14.82 plus the 15% unsociable hours allowance). Casual contract paid at £14.82 per hour.

Hours: 37 and 18.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent and Casual contracts also available

At Suffolk County Council, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. As Residential Youth Support Practitioners in the Lowestoft Children's Home, you’ll work with colleagues, partners, and communities to build trust, share ideas, and deliver services that make a lasting impact.

Posts available:

• 4 x 37 hours per week
• 2 x 18.5 hours per week

Lowestoft Children’s Homes 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.

Your role and responsibilities

You will work as part of a dedicated team to provide day-to-day support for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the county. You will help those who may experience social, emotional, and mental health difficulties, including those who have experienced trauma and display high-level challenging behaviours. Your role will involve building strong, trusting relationships with young residents, monitoring their wellbeing, and encouraging their personal growth and independence.

You will:

• promote the development of children and young people within the environment
• safeguard all children and young people from threats to their health and welfare
• maintain a safe and sensitive atmosphere that meets the needs of the children and young people
• 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 and young people in collaboration with other professionals
• administer 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 to provide 24/7 coverage.

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

• fixed shifts with sleep-in duty
• 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

• funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
• monthly supervision sessions
• excellent benefits package
• salary includes a salary of £28,598 plus 15% unsociable hours allowance £4,289 (pro rata for part time)
• sleep in 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.

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.

For more information

For an informal chat about this role, please contact 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 (Word).

• Explain a situation where you had to ensure the safety and well-being of a child or young person. What actions did you take, and how did you ensure that the child's needs were met?
• 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?
• Give an example of a situation where you had to communicate effectively with a young person who was experiencing emotional distress. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome?
• Transition periods in 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?

Please confirm the number of hours per week you would like to be considered for: 37 or 18.5. Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

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 recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk 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.

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

Closing date: 11.30pm, 14 June 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 (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.