Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner Full Time

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Beacon House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 5PB – Hybrid working
• Salary: £28,598 – £33,699 per annum(pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

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 South Rural Integrated Neighbourhood Team as an Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner, working from Ipswich.

Reimagine the possibilities.

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 (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

The South Rural Integrated Neighbourhood Team covers the south of Ipswich and the wider east Suffolk area, stretching from Shotley to Bildeston along the Essex border. We are a passionate and supportive team, committed to delivering high‑quality outcomes for Suffolk residents. Working as part of an Integrated Neighbourhood Team, we collaborate closely with nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists from ESNEFT, as well as a wide range of community partners.

We also place a strong emphasis on partnership working with colleagues across the wider rural area, including Stowmarket and Eye North West. As a responsive service, our work can vary in line with changing demands throughout the year, so flexibility and a positive approach to change are essential. In this role, you will be clinically supported by experienced Occupational Therapists and work alongside skilled social care professionals and health therapists.

We actively encourage development, offering a range of opportunities to build your skills and experience, including access to our apprenticeship pathway for those wishing to progress towards qualifying as an Occupational Therapist.

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 Julia Parish for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01394605031 or emailing Julia.Parish@suffolk.gov.uk

Alternatively, please contact Cath Allum by calling 01473 264379 or emailing Cath.Allum2@suffolk.gov.uk

How To Apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 – Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 – Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the  Supporting Statement template .

• Describe a time when you had to communicate effectively with a wide range of agencies and voluntary organizations. How did you ensure clear and accurate information was conveyed?
• Describe a situation where you have had to assist someone in making a difficult decision about their future, what approach did you take to ensure they felt supported and informed?
• Provide an example of how you have shown resilience under pressure and remained positive when faced with challenges.
• Suffolk promotes independence and wellbeing for our residents and uses WE ASPIRE values and digital and equipment support to enable residents, describe how you would support a strengths-based approach to make a positive difference.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page .

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process. You can also read our Using AI in Your Application and Interview guidance to understand acceptable and unacceptable use of AI. If AI is used inappropriately, your application may not be progressed.

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 atrecruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor03456 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.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 22 April 2026.

Interview date: Week Commencing 4 May.

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.

About Us

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) .