Residential Youth Support Practitioner

At Suffolk County Council's Ipswich Children's Home, you'll join a dedicated team providing round-the-clock care for up to 4 children and teenagers aged 11-17. We believe every child deserves a nurturing environment where they feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
In this role, you will:
- Build strong, trusting relationships with young residents through everyday interactions like preparing meals, assisting with schoolwork, and planning activities. Your empathy and active listening skills will help create an open, understanding atmosphere.
- Monitor the wellbeing of residents and liaise with other staff to address any issues promptly and sensitively. You'll stay calm under pressure, ready to de-escalate any conflicts.
- Encourage residents' personal growth and independence in a family-style setting. With patience and compassion, you'll support them to gain life skills.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment. Your self-motivation and ability to take initiative will be valued.
No prior experience is required - we'll provide full training and support. Excellent benefits include a funded Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and monthly supervision sessions.
If you're dedicated to making a difference in vulnerable young people's lives, we want to hear from you. This rewarding role offers the chance to change futures in a home from home.

Travelling requirements for your role
We positively encourage the use of technology to communicate and engage, but in this role, you will need to travel, so you must 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. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability to meet the travel requirements of this role, please speak with the contact detailed below
Our residential homes are open 365 days a year and you will need the ability to work flexibly (shift work and weekend working are a core part of the role, including bank holidays).
We welcome interest from part time and casual workers too. Get in touch to learn more.

£30,384 per annum (pro rata if part time) which includes a salary of £26,421 plus 15% unsociable hours allowance £3,963 (pro rata if part time)
- Please also note that in addition to your salary you will also receive payment at minimum wage for any sleep-in duties performed as part of your rota
- £15.74 hourly rate (this includes the hourly rate of £13.69 plus the 15% unsociable hours allowance)
- 37 hours per week
- Permanent, 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 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!