- Suffolk County Council
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Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU - Hybrid
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Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
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Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
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Contract: Permanent
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner in the Independence and Wellbeing Service, you will see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you will join a supportive and dedicated team committed to helping people access the right advice, support and services at the right time. This is a rewarding and varied role where you will have the opportunity to listen, problem-solve and make a meaningful difference to people's lives, helping them maintain their independence and wellbeing.
In this role, you will:
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speak with individuals, families and professionals to understand needs, identify strengths and help people take positive next steps
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arrange and coordinate reablement services that support people to regain confidence, maximise their independence and remain living safely at home wherever possible
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complete short-term assessments, including mental capacity assessments, using a strengths-based and person-centred approach
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visit people in their homes when appropriate, building trusted relationships, gaining a fuller understanding of their circumstances and identifying the support that will make the greatest impact
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commission services and work collaboratively with colleagues across Adult Social Care, Customer First and partner organisations to ensure support is timely, appropriate and effective
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review and monitor support arrangements to ensure they continue to meet people's needs and help them achieve the best possible outcomes.
You will need
We are looking for someone who is compassionate, proactive and passionate about supporting people to live independently.
To be successful in this role, you will need:
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good literacy, numeracy and IT skills, including experience using databases and case recording systems
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experience working with people in social care, health, voluntary or charity settings
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experience of delivering person-centred support and an understanding of Adult Social Care services
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a creative, preventative approach to supporting people to achieve positive outcomes
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an understanding of risk assessment and risk management
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the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
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strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships
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a willingness to learn, develop and grow in the role.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word), 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, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
The Independence and Well-being Service (IWS) is the front door Social Work team, working alongside Customer First to offer robust advice, information, equipment, digital care aids at the earliest point of an individual’s journey into Adult Social Care. There are three IWS teams in Adult Social Care, located in Waveney, West Suffolk and Ipswich.
Empowering Everyone
We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are 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
Please contact Gemma Abbott (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263882 or emailing: [email protected]
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 (Word).
- Tell us about a time when you supported someone to achieve greater independence. What approach did you take, and what was the outcome?
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Tell us about a time when you had to prioritise competing demands or a busy workload. How did you manage your time and ensure key tasks were completed?
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Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult conversation, complaint, or challenging behaviour. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?
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.
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.
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: [email protected] or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 9 August 2026.
Interview date: 14 August 2026.
Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus 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. #LI-Hybrid
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).
