Job Description

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Residential Youth Support Practitioner to join the team in Lowestoft, Suffolk. We have both full-time (37 hours per week) and part-time (18.5 hours per week) opportunities available, with permanent and casual contracts on offer. The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary of £32,887 per annum (pro rata for part-time positions), plus additional payments for rostered sleep-in duties (see benefits section). The hourly rate for permanent positions is £17.04, comprising a basic rate of £14.82 per hour plus a 15% unsociable hours allowance. Casual positions are paid at £14.82 per hour.

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

Reimagine the possibilities.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 29 June 2026.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Residential Youth Support Practitioner role, even if you don t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

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.