Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is looking for an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner in Bury St Edmunds. This role focuses on supporting adults, completing occupational therapy tasks, and working flexibly within a team. Candidates should have experience with adult care and knowledge of assistive technology. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement and competitive benefits including annual leave and a Local Government Pension Scheme.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme membership

Flexible working options

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working with adults in a care setting.
• Knowledge of assistive technology and adaptations.
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Complete occupational therapy assistant work to assist OTs.
• Support OT development and learning.
• Act as a mentor for the trusted assessor programme.

Skills

Occupational therapy assistant work

Supporting complex cases

Mentoring and support

Reablement focus

Assistive technology knowledge

Job description

Overview

• 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: Fixed Term or Secondment for 2 years

Are you passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of adults in Suffolk? Do you have recent experience working with adults? Would you like to work in an incredibly varied, challenging, and rewarding role? If so, we have a fantastic opportunity for you to join Suffolk County Council\'s Flexible Care and Support Team as an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, working from Ipswich.

Your role

• completion of occupational therapy assistant (OTA) work including but not limited to small aids and equipment, minor and major adaptations
• supporting to reduce occupational therapy (OT) waiting lists by completing OTA tasks to free up OT\'s to complete complex cases
• to support OT/OTA/TA development and learning
• acting as mentors to those undertaking the trusted assessor (TA) programme and supporting with upkeep of knowledge
• small equipment clinics to support the waiting lists by inviting customers to a clinic who require small pieces of equipment rather than having to visit them at home
• possible triaging tasks
• working in an integrated way with health colleagues and support health teams as necessary.

Your responsibilities

You will develop skills under the guidance of Occupational Therapists supported by the Occupational Therapy Good Practice Guide to assess functional ability with an emphasis on reablement and advise on options for maximising and maintaining independence, including Daily Living Equipment and adaptations, championing use of Assistive Technology, including the Digital Care solutions.

You will be expected to work within budgetary restraints to achieve value for money for customers, carers and the service. You will liaise with other professionals to provide appropriate advice and information and maintain links with a wide range of agencies and voluntary organisations.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx) . 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 Flexible Care and Support Team (FCST) is an innovative team that reflects local need and works flexibly across Bury St Edmunds to respond to emerging demand across the area supporting neighbourhood locality teams. Being a flexible team means that the exact nature of the activity can change during peaks in demands and throughout the year and ability to flex across areas is essential. We are a passionate and supportive team, who are committed to the residents of Suffolk.

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 Katherine Laws for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01284 758358 or emailing [e-mail]

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 (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click Apply Now\' to start your online application.

Step 3 - 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 ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 14 October 2025.

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).