- Suffolk County Council
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Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
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Salary: £40,777 - £47,054 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
Are you an experienced and creative Social Worker with a background in Adult Social Care and leadership?
We are looking for a Senior Practitioner to join our Mental Health South Team, based at Endeavour House in Ipswich. You will be part of our Adult Social Care Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Service, working within a supportive locality-based structure across Suffolk. Our service has a strong sense of collaboration and shared purpose.
This is an exciting time to join our Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism services as we continue to deliver our Independent Lives programme and wider transformation agenda. This role offers a valuable opportunity to develop your career within a complex and rewarding specialist area.
If you are passionate about supporting people to live as independently as possible and enjoy working in partnership with individuals, families, providers and health colleagues to improve outcomes, this could be the opportunity for you.
What you will be doing
Working with customers, their families and service providers to carry out assessments and reviews, ensuring support meets individual needs
Promoting strengths-based interventions that enhance independence, wellbeing and support networks, including safeguarding and risk management
Taking the lead on the most complex cases within the team
Deputising for the Team Manager where required
Providing case supervision and supporting colleagues to develop high-quality practice and continuous learning
Promoting Suffolk County Council’s values and ensuring a strong focus on outcomes, continuous improvement and value for money
Ensuring statutory duties are met in line with legislation and guidance for adults and carers
Working collaboratively with partner organisations to provide effective, joined-up support and advice.
You will need
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relevant professional Social Work, Occupational Therapy or similar health or social care qualification to degree level, or equivalent, with evidence of continuous professional development
strong partnership working skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals, families and professionals
ability to manage changing priorities and contribute to service development
confidence in using innovative and digital approaches to practice
strong skills in assessing and managing risk, with a positive and enabling approach
ability to support and develop the practice of others.
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, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
Our Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Review Team works within a strengths-based framework using the Signs of Safety and Wellbeing model. We focus on building on existing strengths to support people to achieve their outcomes and live more independently.
The team includes a Team Manager, Senior Practitioner, Social Workers and Independence and Wellbeing Practitioners. We are a welcoming, supportive and collaborative team, working in a hybrid way across home and office.
We are committed to developing our services and investing in our staff. Our people are our greatest asset, and together we are working to enable everyone in Suffolk to live long, healthy and fulfilling lives, while safeguarding those most in need.
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
Please contact Libby Clark (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 264127 or emailing [email protected]
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).
- Tell us about a time when you supported colleagues to implement changes in practice. What approach did you take to communicate key information and ensure it was understood?
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Give an example of how you have identified learning and development needs within a team. How did you address these needs and evaluate the impact?
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Tell us about a time when you used your knowledge of legislation or policy (such as the Care Act) to guide or influence practice. What was the result?
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Describe a situation where you identified poor or inconsistent practice. How did you challenge this and support improvement?
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: 11.30pm, 12 July 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).
