At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower individuals to maximise their independence and wellbeing through personalised support.
- Company: Join Suffolk County Council, a modern organisation making a positive community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others, problem-solving mindset, and ability to navigate legislation.
The predicted salary is between 28598 - 28598 £ per year.
Suffolk County Council is a modern, flexible and effective organisation, driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people. When you join us as an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you will 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.
Your role and responsibilities
This is a key role within the organisation, located within Adult Social Care (ASC). The main purpose of this role is to work with customers to identify and deliver personalised good quality outcomes to the highest standards to support and maximise their independence and wellbeing. This role will include working as a Trusted Assessor, assessing functional ability, providing advice, daily living equipment, adaptations, assistive technology, community and other resources with an emphasis on reablement and Digital Care solutions, promoting and maximising independence and wellbeing.
You will work as part of area social work teams alongside colleagues and practitioners across the Health and Voluntary sector to support effective integration between health and social care ensuring systems are joined up and accessible for all our customers. You will be expected to promote Suffolk County Council's vision, objectives, and priorities effectively to your customers, our partners, and the public and inspire others by role modelling our organisational values at all times. You will promote a culture of value for money, outcome-based customer focus and continuous improvement.
What you will need
A real passion for empowering people to live as independently as possible. You will bring curiosity, compassion and a problem solving mindset to every conversation, whether you're carrying out an asset based assessment, reviewing someone's progress, or helping them explore creative ways to meet their goals. You will need to feel comfortable navigating legislation and eligibility criteria and be able to explain people's rights and options in a way that feels supportive and empowering. Sometimes you'll be helping individuals and families make difficult decisions, so sensitivity, patience and confidence are key.
You will take ownership of your cases, working collaboratively with colleagues, carers, health professionals, voluntary organisations and community partners. Being a great team player matters, you'll contribute to duty systems, share learning, support others and play an active role in team meetings, supervision and development opportunities. Most importantly, you'll bring a positive, people centred approach, someone who listens deeply, thinks creatively and genuinely wants to make a difference.
The team
You will be joining an Integrated Neighbourhood Team that genuinely feels integrated - not just in name. We are co-located with our community healthcare colleagues, which means we work side by side every day, sharing ideas, problem solving together and building strong relationships that make a real difference to the people we support. Our team is passionate about improving outcomes for local people, and we thrive on creativity, curiosity and a shared commitment to helping individuals stay independent for as long as possible. We celebrate each other's strengths, learn from one another and support each other through the challenging days as well as the rewarding ones.
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.
For more information
Please contact Rebecca Bailey for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01449 778302 or emailing: rebecca.bailey2@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.
- Can you share an example of when you brought creativity or innovation into your work or adapted positively to a change in ways of working?
- Describe a time when you used a person-centred approach to support someone to maximise their independence and wellbeing.
- Describe a situation where you were working under pressure or faced challenge or resistance. How did you remain resilient and positive?
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by either emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date: 11.30 pm, 12 July 2026. Interview date: 22 July 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.
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
In return, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities across our organisation and can access further details about our benefits, values and equality commitments on the Suffolk County Council careers website.
Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner in Eye employer: Suffolk County Council
Suffolk County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and independence of both its employees and the communities it serves. With a strong commitment to flexible working, generous annual leave, and a supportive work culture, employees are encouraged to grow through diverse career development opportunities while making a meaningful impact in their roles. Joining our Integrated Neighbourhood Team means being part of a collaborative environment where creativity and compassion thrive, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner in Eye
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Suffolk County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Suffolk County Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Suffolk County Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Suffolk County Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner in Eye
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk County Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
