At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct assessments and provide support to promote independence and wellbeing.
- Company: Dynamic council committed to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Up to 29 days leave, competitive pension, flexible working, and career development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with diverse networks and flexible work options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or social care and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Key Information
- Suffolk County Council
- Address: 5 Constantine Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DH or Riduna Park, Station Road, Melton, Woodbridge, IP12 1QT – Hybrid
- Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata if part time)
- Hours: 37, flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent
When you join the Home First team as an Independence Wellbeing Practitioner, we’ll support your development from the start. We’ll help you to play to your strengths, diversify your skills and build an influential and impactful career. With a variety of career paths and learning opportunities to explore, if you’re motivated and passionate there’s no limit to how far your ambition could take you.
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner in the Home First Team you’ll 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.
Job Details
A great opportunity to join the Suffolk County Council\'s Ipswich and East Home First as an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, working from Beacon House, South Rural.
- Do you have recent experience of working in a fast-paced team?
- Would you like to work in an incredibly varied, challenging and rewarding role?
- Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of adults in Suffolk?
Your Role
- You will support the Home First team with customer assessments and reviews
- You will make a positive difference to the residents of Suffolk
- You will receive excellent support and supervision
Your Responsibilities
The role is to work with your allocated customers to identify and deliver personalised, good quality outcomes to the highest of standards. You will work as part of the Home First team alongside area social work teams as well as the health and voluntary sector to support the effective integration between health and social care.
You Will Need
- Excellent communication skills to our customers, their families and/or advocates as well as other professionals.
- Energy to contribute to the team systems for responding to urgent work.
- Resilience under pressure and the ability to remain positive when challenged.
The Team
- Home First provides a short-term reablement care and support service to people living in their own homes.
We Will Offer You
- You will make a difference to the lives of those living in Suffolk during a reablement period or crisis.
- You will have excellent support and be a part of a friendly, professional service.
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
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Rachael Nunn on 01473 263469.
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
- Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
- Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
- Upload a supporting statement indicating how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the JPP.
- You should use the Supporting Statement template.
- Please use Arial font size 11 and keep your statement to a maximum of two sides of A4.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
- 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 atrecruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor03456 014412.
- You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you\'re invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.
Closing Date
08 February 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
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.
Benefits
- 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).
Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner employer: Suffolk County Council
As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner with us, you will thrive in a modern and flexible environment that prioritises your growth and well-being. We offer generous benefits including up to 29 days of annual leave, a competitive pension scheme, and numerous career development opportunities, all while fostering a collaborative culture that values fresh ideas and community impact. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others while enjoying a supportive work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner
✨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
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.
