• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Landmark House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 5PB – Community-based
• Salary: £34,434 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

We’re passionate about improving the future for our customers, our communities and the environment. If you are too, join us as a 16-17 Homelessness Practitioner and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.  

Reimagine the possibilities. 

Your role and responsibilities  

As a 16-17 Homelessness Practitioner, you will provide specialist early support to young people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. You will work closely with housing services to complete joint assessments and ensure young people receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.

You will play a key role in gathering and analysing multi-agency information to inform safeguarding decisions, ensuring the voice, needs and safety of the young person remain central at all times

On a day-to-day basis, you will be:

• Completing joint homelessness assessments for 16 and 17 year-olds alongside housing colleagues
• Building strong working relationships with housing authorities and partner agencies
• Gathering, analysing and sharing safeguarding information in line with statutory guidance
• Contributing to multi-agency decision-making, including offering professional advice and challenge
• Recording and presenting information that informs risk and support planning
• Supporting safeguarding processes and working flexibly across the IFD as required
• Ensuring the voice of the child is central to all decision-making

You will also manage your own workload, identify and respond to safeguarding risks, and maintain accurate, timely records in line with service requirements.

You will need

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about supporting children and families and is motivated to make a positive difference.

You will need:

• Experience of working directly with children, young people and families
• Knowledge of safeguarding, early intervention and relevant legislation
• Experience of multi-agency working and partnership collaboration
• The ability to identify risk, assess needs and support positive outcomes
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage others
• Experience of working with families where safeguarding concerns exist
• To be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

You’ll hold a relevant Level 5 qualification (or equivalent experience) and demonstrate a clear commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.  

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, please still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team  

At Suffolk County Council, we aspire for every child to live their best life.

The Integrated Front Door is a fast-paced, multi-agency environment bringing together professionals from across the partnership – including social care, police, health and education – to ensure concerns are responded to quickly, consistently and effectively.

You’ll be part of a service that:

• Supports early decision-making and earlier help
• Works within a shared safeguarding framework and statutory duties
• Promotes joined-up, high-quality responses for children and families
• Plays a key role in Suffolk’s Families First approach.

This role is county wide with office base in Ipswich. The expectation is that staff are office-based aside from arranged visits. We believe that being together matters. Visible leadership supports better decision-making, stronger oversight, professional development and a culture where practitioners feel supported to do their best work.

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

 

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 conversation, please contact Milly Clarke by calling 01473 263139 or emailing milly.clark2@suffolk.gov.uk or Sean Segal by calling 01473 260673 or sean.segal@suffolk.gov.uk.

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.

1. Describe your experience of working with young people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. What actions did you take and what was the outcome?

2. Give an example of how you have worked in partnership with other agencies (e.g. housing, social care, police or health) to support a young person or family.

3. Tell us about a time you ensured the voice of a child or young person influenced a decision or plan. What did you do and what difference did it make?

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.

 

Closing date: 11.30pm, 29 September 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 12 October 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. 

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).