Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner
| Posting date: | 16 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £28,598 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 22 February 2026 |
| Location: | Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU |
| Company: | Suffolk County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 22268 |
Summary
- Suffolk County Council
- Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU - Hybrid
- Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent
Posts available:
Post 1-3: 37 hours per week
Post 4: 18.5 hours per week
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.
Reimagine the possibilities.
About the role
As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you’ll play a key part in supporting the Home First service by carrying out customer assessments and reviews. Your work will directly contribute to improving the independence, wellbeing and quality of life for residents across Suffolk.
You will be
- carrying out Care Act Assessments and Mental Capacity Assessments.
- assessing functional ability and promoting digital care technology.
- providing advice and guidance to customers, families, and health professionals.
- collaborating with home first colleagues, area social work teams, health professionals and voluntary sector partners to ensure effective, joined-up care.
- supporting community referrals to prevent hospital admissions.
- managing referrals, including benefits tracking and eligibility decisions for care and support needs.
What you will bring
- Excellent communication skills with customers, families, advocates and professional partners.
- Energy and flexibility to support a dynamic, fast-paced service.
- Resilience and positivity, even when working under pressure.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). 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
Home First provides short‑term reablement, care and support to people in their own homes, helping them regain confidence and independence following illness, injury or a period of crisis.
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 (suffolk.gov.uk).
For more information
Please contact Kelly Grant (she/her) or Hannah Miller (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263192 or emailing Kelly.grant@suffolk.gov.uk
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx).
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.
1. Please describe a time when you carried out an assessment or review that helped someone maximise their independence and wellbeing. What steps did you take and what was the outcome.
2. Give an example of when you worked collaboratively with health professionals, voluntary organisations or other partners to achieve the best outcome for a customer. What was your contribution and what difference did it make?
3. Please describe a situation where you identified a safeguarding or wellbeing concern. What actions did you take and how did you ensure the person was safe and supported?
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
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.
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. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.
This is part of the HFS (Home First Service) wider job family.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 22 February 2026.
Interview date: Friday 27 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.
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).
- Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU - Hybrid
- Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent
Posts available:
Post 1-3: 37 hours per week
Post 4: 18.5 hours per week
At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.
Reimagine the possibilities.
About the role
As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you’ll play a key part in supporting the Home First service by carrying out customer assessments and reviews. Your work will directly contribute to improving the independence, wellbeing and quality of life for residents across Suffolk.
You will be
- carrying out Care Act Assessments and Mental Capacity Assessments.
- assessing functional ability and promoting digital care technology.
- providing advice and guidance to customers, families, and health professionals.
- collaborating with home first colleagues, area social work teams, health professionals and voluntary sector partners to ensure effective, joined-up care.
- supporting community referrals to prevent hospital admissions.
- managing referrals, including benefits tracking and eligibility decisions for care and support needs.
What you will bring
- Excellent communication skills with customers, families, advocates and professional partners.
- Energy and flexibility to support a dynamic, fast-paced service.
- Resilience and positivity, even when working under pressure.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word). 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
Home First provides short‑term reablement, care and support to people in their own homes, helping them regain confidence and independence following illness, injury or a period of crisis.
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 (suffolk.gov.uk).
For more information
Please contact Kelly Grant (she/her) or Hannah Miller (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 263192 or emailing Kelly.grant@suffolk.gov.uk
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (docx).
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.
1. Please describe a time when you carried out an assessment or review that helped someone maximise their independence and wellbeing. What steps did you take and what was the outcome.
2. Give an example of when you worked collaboratively with health professionals, voluntary organisations or other partners to achieve the best outcome for a customer. What was your contribution and what difference did it make?
3. Please describe a situation where you identified a safeguarding or wellbeing concern. What actions did you take and how did you ensure the person was safe and supported?
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
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.
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. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.
This is part of the HFS (Home First Service) wider job family.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 22 February 2026.
Interview date: Friday 27 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.
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).