Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Felixstowe Community Hub, Felixstowe IP11 9EE - Hybrid
• Salary: £29,542 per annum (pro rata)
• Hours: 24 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner in the Felixstowe Integrated Neighbourhood Team, you’ll work with colleagues, partners, and communities to build trust, share ideas, and deliver services that make a lasting impact.

Are you passionate about helping people live independently and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them? Join our supportive Adult Social Care, Felixstowe Integrated Neighbourhood Team and make a real difference every day.

In this varied role, you'll work directly with adults, carers, health professionals, and community organisations to promote independence and wellbeing. No two days are the same. One day you could be visiting someone at home to assess their needs, and the next working with colleagues to find creative solutions that help people stay connected to their communities.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

• Carrying out strengths-based assessments and reviews that focus on maximising independence and wellbeing.
• Providing guidance on equipment, adaptations, assistive technology, and community-based support.
• Creating and reviewing personalised support plans that enable people to achieve their goals and live more independently.
• Working in partnership with colleagues across health, social care, and voluntary sector organisations to provide coordinated support.
• Empowering people to make informed choices and achieve positive, lasting outcomes.

You'll join a supportive and collaborative team that values learning, innovation, and person-centred practice. If you're compassionate, motivated, and passionate about helping people live more independently, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and make a meaningful difference to the lives of people across Suffolk.

You will need

• A passion for improving outcomes for adults and their carers.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach and the confidence to think creatively when supporting people.
• A commitment to person-centred, strengths-based practice that promotes independence and wellbeing.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a busy multi-disciplinary team.
• A willingness to learn, develop and continuously build your knowledge and skills within Adult Social Care.
• Compassion, resilience and a strong commitment to safeguarding adults and promoting their wellbeing.

Experience of working with adults, older people, or people with disabilities would be beneficial, along with an understanding of adult social care principles and promoting independence.

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

The Felixstowe Integrated Neighbourhood Team is a friendly, experienced and collaborative team of Social Workers, Independence and Wellbeing Practitioners, Community Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and other health and social care professionals. Together, we provide a truly integrated approach to supporting adults across Felixstowe and the surrounding communities.

We are committed to:

• Promoting independence through strengths-based practice.
• Supporting people to remain living safely and independently in their own homes wherever possible.
• Working creatively with local communities, partners and voluntary organisations.
• Delivering person-centred support that achieves meaningful outcomes.
• Encouraging learning, development and career progression.
• Fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive team culture where everyone's contribution is valued.

As part of the team, you will benefit from regular supervision, ongoing professional development opportunities, and the chance to work alongside experienced practitioners from a wide range of disciplines, sharing knowledge and expertise to make a real difference to people's lives.

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 Vic Warnock for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01394 605040or emailingvictoria.warnock@suffolk.gov.uk.

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).

1. Tell us about a time when you had to learn and apply new information, guidance, legislation or procedures. How did you ensure your knowledge translated into effective
   practice?

2. Tell us about a time when you dealt with a difficult situation, concern or complaint. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?

3. Tell us about a time when you had to manage a complex or competing workload. How did you prioritise your tasks and ensure deadlines were met?

4. Describe a time when you used creativity, initiative or problem-solving skills to overcome a challenge or improve an outcome for a person you were supporting.
   

Please note: Without the requested supporting documents, 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 recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 4 November 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. #LI-Hybrid

About us

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

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).