Suffolk County Council Address : Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket Children's Home, Onsite working Salary : £32,887 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus additional payment for rostered sleep in duties (see benefits) Hours : 37 hours per week, flexible working options may be available Contract : Permanent and Fixed Term Contract At Suffolk County Council, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. As Youth Support Practitioners in the Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket homes, you’ll work with colleagues, partners, and communities to build trust, share ideas, and deliver services that make a lasting impact. Posts available Bury St Edmunds – 3 x Permanent and 1 x Fixed Term / Secondment cover up to November 2026. Stowmarket – 4 x Permanent. Casual basis work also available, paid at £14.82 per hour. Reimagine the possibilities. Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket Children’s Homes are mixed-gender residential homes for children and young people aged 8 - 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. 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 homes, large, detached houses with spacious gardens in pleasant residential areas, 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 chat, please contact: Bob Rigby, Deputy Manager, f or Bury St Edmunds, by calling 07355 029374. Mitch Aalders, Deputy Manager, for Stowmarket, by calling 07712 402596. How to apply Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (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 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. Closing date : 11.30pm, 29 April 2026 You will be required to attend a Warner Interview for this position as part of the recruitment process. Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct. 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. As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities. In return, you’ll enjoy: up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase training and encouragement to expand your knowledge a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation diverse and active staff networks flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day Plus lots more! If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) .