Senior Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner

Job Description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU - Hybrid working 
• Salary: £35,570 per annum (pro rata for part time or under 12 months)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Fixed term or Secondment for up to 12 months due to maternity leave

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we’re driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. That’s why, when you join us as a Senior Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you’ll be encouraged to share your fresh thinking and empowered to explore new ideas that will shape and improve our services as well as your career.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

You will be part of the IWS West Team, based at West Suffolk House in Bury St Edmunds, supporting residents across Suffolk. You will manage a caseload that includes complex and challenging work, carrying out home visits when required and providing information and advice to help people remain safe and independent in their own homes. Working closely with other professionals, you will help achieve positive outcomes while working within budgetary requirements and ensuring value for money. With support and guidance from Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, you will develop your skills in recognising and responding to complex social situations, including Adult Safeguarding, assessing functional ability with a focus on reablement, and recommending Daily Living Equipment and adaptations. You will also champion the use of Assistive Technology, including Digital Care solutions, to support people’s independence.

You will need

• Recent experience of working with adults with complex needs
• A good standard of literacy and numeracy
• A good standard of IT skills including use of databases and case recording systems
• Experience of working with people within social care/health settings - either statutory, voluntary or charity
• Experience of person-centred work
• Basic understanding of Adult Social Care services
• A keen focus on preventative social care and have a creative mindset in achieving good outcomes
• An understanding of risk assessments
• The ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• A willingness to develop your career
• Excellent communication skills and an awareness and understanding of people’s emotions and reactions

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 Independence and Wellbeing Service (IWS) is a key first point of contact within Adult Social Care, working alongside Customer First to provide people with advice, information and practical support at the earliest stage of their journey. There are three IWS teams across Suffolk, based in Waveney, West Suffolk and Ipswich. The teams take a person-centred and preventative approach, helping people to maintain their independence and prevent, reduce or delay the need for ongoing care and support. Our work is varied and includes arranging reablement services, completing short-term and mental capacity assessments, carrying out home visits where appropriate, commissioning services, reviewing support, and providing equipment and digital care solutions to help people live safely and independently.

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 Gemma Abbott, Team Manager, for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263882 or emailing gemma.abbott@suffolk.gov.uk.

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

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 supported someone to maintain or improve their independence. What approach did you take and what was the outcome?
2. Please describe a challenging or complex situation you have managed. How did you assess the situation, manage any risks and decide on the appropriate course of action?
3. Please give an example of when you have supported, mentored or shared your knowledge with a colleague. What did you do and what difference did your support 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.

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, 8 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).