Assistant Assessment Team Manager

Suffolk County Council; Lowestoft; Hybrid; GBP 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Lowestoft is seeking an Assistant Assessment Team Manager to lead a dynamic team in delivering exceptional social work services. The role involves guiding staff, conducting assessments, and advocating for client independence in a hybrid work environment. Ideal candidates are passionate social workers who excel in fast-paced settings with a commitment to innovation and collaboration.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme

Performance-related pay progression

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Passion for excellent social work practice.
• Strong advocate for helping people live independently.
• Creative thinker who enjoys problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and guidance to staff.
• Lead discussions and practice sessions.
• Undertake joint visits for complex assessments.

Skills

Social work practice

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Advocacy

Education

Qualified and registered Social Worker

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Various locations - Hybrid
• Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: Various
• Contract: Permanent

Posts available:

• Post 1: 18.5 hours per week, Hamilton House, Lowestoft, NR32 1DE
• Post 2: 37 hours per week, Beacon House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB
• Post 3: 18.5 hours per week, Beacon House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB
• Post 4: 37 hours per week, West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU

At Suffolk County Council, collaboration is more than a value - it's how we work. As an Assistant Assessment Team Manager in our Home First service, you'll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team that works closely with colleagues, partners, and communities to deliver services that truly matter.

We believe in the power of people - their potential, their ideas, and their individuality. In this role, you'll be encouraged to share your insights, and grow your career in an environment that values and supports you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As an Assistant Assessment Team Manager in Home First, you'll play a key role in supporting both the team and the people we serve. Your day-to-day work will be varied, fast-paced, and rewarding. You will:

• Provide professional oversight and guidance to assessment staff, supporting them with complex casework, including safeguarding concerns, mental capacity assessments, and best interest decisions.
• Lead case discussions and reflective practice sessions, helping the team to explore challenges, share learning, and continuously improve the quality of their work.
• Undertake joint visits with assessment staff to individuals in their own homes, offering support with complex assessments and modelling best practice.
• Support the allocation of work across the team, ensuring that demand is managed effectively and that cases are distributed fairly and appropriately.
• Hold a small caseload when service pressures require it, maintaining your own practice and contributing directly to positive outcomes for individuals.
• Champion high-quality recording and documentation, helping the team to produce clear, person-centred, and holistic assessments that reflect people's strengths, needs, and goals.
• Keep up to date with policy, legislation, and best practice, sharing relevant updates with the team and embedding learning into everyday practice.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Home First, as well as with health professionals, care providers, and other partners, to ensure joined-up, timely, and effective support for the people we work with.
• Contribute to service development, identifying opportunities to improve processes, enhance outcomes, and innovate in how we deliver reablement and assessment support.

What We're Looking For

• a qualified and registered Social Worker.
• someone passionate about excellent social work practice and inspiring others to do the same.
• a strong advocate for helping people live independently at home, ideally with knowledge of reablement support.
• a creative thinker who enjoys problem-solving and developing innovative solutions.
• a calm, confident decision-maker who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• a team player with a growth mindset and a desire to develop professionally.

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 is Suffolk County Council's in-house Reablement Service, helping people regain independence and live well at home after a period of need. Our work is fast-paced, creative, and deeply rewarding.

• We work closely with Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs), area teams, health professionals, and local care providers to deliver holistic, person-centred support.
• Our team culture is built on strong relationships, collaboration, and mutual support.
• We offer hybrid working with designated office days to maintain strong in-person connections.
• Our team members say the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the real, positive impact we make in 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

Post 1: Please contact Annabel Cook (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01502 674560 or emailing [e-mail]

Post 2 - 3: Please contact Rachael Nunn (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 263469 or emailing [e-mail]

Post 4: Please contact Kelly Grant (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 263192 or emailing [e-mail]

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (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.

1. Please provide an example of how you have led or influenced change in a pressurised environment. How did you motivate others and what was achieved?
2. Provide an example of how you have supported the development of a colleague who was new to social care. How did you mentor or coach them, and what impact did this have?
3. Give an example of a difficult decision you made independently in your role. What factors did you consider and how did you ensure the best outcome?
4. Tell us about a time when you contributed to the development or implementation of policies or procedures. How did you ensure they were evidence-based and aligned with legislation?

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.

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 emailing [e-mail] 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: 11.30pm, 8 December 2025.

This is part of the HFS (Home First Service) wider job family.

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) .