Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner

Suffolk County Council; Lowestoft; Hybrid; GBP 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Lowestoft is seeking an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner to support adults in living independently. You will assess needs, communicate with various stakeholders, and make a positive impact on community wellbeing. This role offers flexible working options and a competitive salary.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related pay progression

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to engage effectively with customers, families, advocates, and professionals.
• Capable of responding swiftly and effectively to urgent situations.
• Resilient and positive under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Carry out customer assessments and reviews for high-quality outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Make a meaningful difference in residents' lives.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Resilience

Positive attitude

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Various locations in Lowestoft - Hybrid
• Salary: £28,598 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: Various - Flexible working options availablen
• Contract: Permanent

Posts available:

• Posts 1-3: Home First, Hamilton House, Lowestoft, NR32 1DE - 37 hours per week.
• Post 4: Flexible Care and Support Team, Riverside, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ - 37 hours per week.
• Post 5-6: Hospital to Home Team, The James Paget Hospital, Lowestoft, NR31 6LA - 37 hours per week.
• Post 7: Flexible Care and Support Team, Riverside, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ - 24 hours per week, with an Occupational Therapy focus.

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. If you join us as an 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.

Your role and responsibilities

As an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, you'll be part of a dynamic team supporting adults across Suffolk to live independently and improve their wellbeing. Working within the Home First team and alongside social work teams, health professionals, and the voluntary sector, you'll help deliver integrated health and social care services.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out customer assessments and reviews to identify personalised, high-quality outcomes.
• Communicating effectively with customers, their families, advocates, and professionals.
• Responding to urgent needs with energy and resilience, maintaining a positive approach under pressure.
• Making a meaningful difference to the lives of Suffolk residents, with excellent supervision and support throughout.

Post 7 Focus

This position centres on working as a Trusted Assessor, evaluating functional ability and offering guidance, equipment, adaptations, assistive technology, and access to community resources. The role emphasises reablement and Digital Care solutions, promoting independence and wellbeing.

You will need

• Strong communication skills to engage effectively with customers, families, advocates, and professionals.
• The ability to respond swiftly and effectively to urgent situations.
• Resilience and a positive attitude when working under pressure.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don't meet all the requirements, please apply. We'd appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The teams

Home First

Join our supportive and passionate Home First team, where we work together to help people regain independence and stay in their own homes. You'll be part of a collaborative, person-centred service that values every team member and offers opportunities to grow, develop, and make a real difference in people's lives.

Flexible Care and Support Team

The Flexible Care and Support Team (FCST) is a responsive and adaptable service that works across localities to meet emerging needs. Whether supporting hospital discharges, conducting reviews, or responding to provider challenges, the team plays a vital role in ensuring timely, person-centred care. With a focus on complex dementia support, assessments, and new initiatives, FCST members collaborate closely with hospital teams and community services to deliver high-quality, flexible support where it's needed most.

Hospital to Home Team

The Hospital to Home team supports adults to return safely and confidently to their communities following a hospital stay. Working closely with individuals, families, and professionals across health and social care, the team ensures timely, person-centred discharges that promote independence and wellbeing. Using the Suffolk Signs of Safety and Trauma‑Informed Restorative Approach (SOS+), we place people's voices at the heart of our work, helping them achieve their goals through collaborative, strengths‑based practice. Weekend working is required.

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

Posts 1-3: Please contact Annabel Cook (she/her) or Lee Clarke (he/him) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01502 521550.

Post 4: Please contact Kirstie Jenkins (she/her) or Nicki Baggott (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01502 674554 or 01502 674574.

Post 5-6: Please contact Jason Peek for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01502 674578.

Post 7: Please contact Leah Ellingham (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01502 674517.

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 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.

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, 20 November 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) .