Description Suffolk County Council - Stowmarket Children's Home - Onsite £31,868 per annum (pro rata for part time) which includes a salary of £27,711 plus 15% unsociable hours allowance £4,157 (pro rata for 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 £16.51 hourly rate (this includes the hourly rate of £14.36 plus the 15% unsociable hours allowance) 18.5 - 37 hours per week Permanent 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. Our Stowmarket Children's Home offers round-the-clock care for up to 5 children and teenagers aged 8-17. We believe every child 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 You will work as part of a dedicated team to provide day-to-day support for some of the most vulnerable children in the county. You will help children 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 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. 24/7 Coverage: The home operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Fixed shifts: Shifts are 7am-6pm, 11am-11pm, and 5pm-11pm 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. You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx) 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 At Stowmarket Children's Home, you'll join a dedicated team providing round-the-clock care for up to five children and teenagers aged 8-17. 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, a large detached house with a spacious garden 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 For an informal discussion, please contact Laura Young, Residential Manager, by calling 07523 930578. You will be required to attend a Warner Interview for this position as part of the recruitment process. How to apply We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. Step 1 - Please read the Job and Person Profile (docx) ,before applying for this job opportunity. 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. 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? 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 recruitmentsuffolk.gov.uk Closing date: 11.30pm, 23 April 2025. Interview date: 30 April 2025. 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.