Homelessness Practitioner

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:Landmark House Ipswich Suffolk IP1 5PB - Community-based
• Salary: 34434 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:37 hours flexible working options available
• Contract:Permanent

Werepassionate about improving the future for our customers ourcommunitiesand the environment. If you are too join us as a 16-17 Homelessness Practitionerand 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 positivelasting 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

Were 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

Youll 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 theJob 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 youdontmeet 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.

Youll 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 Suffolks 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

Werebig believers in potentialpossibilityand the power of different searching for ways to encourage respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want torepresentthe diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation as shown inourWorkforce Equality Report.

For more information

For an informal conversation please contact Milly Clarkeby calling or emailing or Sean Segalby calling or .

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 asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use theSupporting Statement template.

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

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 supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application please seeourHow to Apply page.

We value authentic applications thatshowcaseyour genuine skills and experiences so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also readourUsing AI in Your Application and Interview guidanceto 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 applyIf you are disabled and/or haveadditionalsupport needs you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at or. You can find examples ofpossible adjustmentsonourReasonable 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 berequiredfor relevant posts.