Occupational Therapist

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Hybrid working

ASYE support for Newly Qualified

CPD days

Training and career progression

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking an Occupational Therapist for the Home First team in Suffolk. You will assess adults’ physical, psychological and environmental needs and explore options to promote independence and wellbeing.

The role involves working with adults and carers in the community with complex needs to maximise potential. The team focuses on early intervention and enabling people to live independently at home for as long as possible, with flexible and hybrid working arrangements and

Qualifications

• A relevant Occupational Therapy qualification and an HCPC registration.

Responsibilities

• Carry out high-quality assessments of adults' physical, psychological and environmental needs.
• Explore creative options to promote independence, wellbeing and choice.
• Work with adults and their carers living in the community with complex needs to maximise potential.

Skills

HCPC registration

Flexible working

Teamwork

Education

Occupational Therapy qualification

Job description

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU - Hybrid
• Salary: £38,510 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, we recognise that our staff are our greatest asset, and we strive to support them to be the best they can be.

When you join the Adult Social Care service as an Occupational Therapist in Home First, you will carry out high-quality assessments of adults' physical, psychological and environmental needs, and explore creative options to promote independence, wellbeing and choice.

You will work with a wide range of adults and their carers living in the community with complex needs, to support them in a variety of ways to maximise their potential, providing a role that is both fascinating and rewarding as well as challenging.

The aim of our services is to focus on early intervention, recovery, and enabling people to live healthy and independent lives at home for as long as possible.

We are committed to offering you flexible working options and benefits such as:

• part time hours
• permanent and temporary posts
• flexible working and hybrid working options
• 6 protected days to undertake CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
• extra support during the first year of employment (ASYE) for Newly Qualified
• strong and diverse training offer
• supportive and experienced teams
• opportunities for development and career progression across the council
• inclusive and creative culture.

Appointing you as an Occupational Therapist at either:

• Newly Qualified (Grade 5) level at £38,510 per annum(rising to experience after completion of the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
• Experienced (Grade 5) level at £39,481 - £42,123 per annum.

What you will need

A relevantOccupational Therapy qualification and an HCPC registration.

The team

Home First provides short-term assessment and reablement services across Suffolk, supporting people to regain independence and remain living safely at home. The service is regulated by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and sits within Suffolk County Council's Adult Social Care directorate.

You will be line managed by the Team's Senior Occupational Therapist and supported by the Registered Manager for West Suffolk Home First. You will also work closely alongside Team Leaders, Assessment Staff, health professionals and wider Adult Social Care colleagues. The role offers an excellent opportunity to add value to our service users lives through meaningful engagement, robust assessment and follow up.

The service embraces flexible and hybrid working, although regular travel across Suffolk will be required to support teams.

Empowering Everyone

We are big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are 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 .

To find out more

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Glen Head by emailing [e-mail] . Alternatively,please contact Fiona Smith by emailing [e-mail]

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 18 October 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

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) .