• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2QZ and Hybrid working
• Salary: £34,434 per annum (pro rata if part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Independence and Wellbeing Practitioner to join the team at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds. As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, at Suffolk County Council we are driven to make a positive difference to the environment, the communities we serve and the careers of our people.

Reimagine the possibilities. 

Your role and responsibilities

The main purpose of this role is to work with customers to identify and deliver personalised good quality outcomes to the highest standards to support and maximise independence and wellbeing. You will be:

• Supporting community referrals to prevent hospital admissions – linking in with INT co-ordinators.
• Managing the referral process (including benefits tracking and recording).
• Supporting communication and awareness raising.
• Managing decisions about eligibility, private pathway and charging.

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

You will work within an acute hospital environment at West Suffolk Hospital supporting customers with their discharge from hospital. This will involve completing Care Act assessments, carrying out Mental Capacity Assessments, promoting Digital care technology and above all providing advice to customers, their families and health staff with the role of promoting and maximising the independence and well-being of customers.

We offer a flexible working pattern across 7 days a week with the option of compressed hours. Weekend working is required consisting of roughly one weekend every five weeks and is shared amongst the team members. The role offers flexibility to include home working arrangements and flexible options to support you, your work life balance and career.

Whilst the majority of time is spent in the hospital environment there may be times when home visits, care home visits and training opportunities require visits to other locations so therefore a full driving license and ability to travel is required.

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.

For more information

For an informal discussion, please contact Julie Alexander (Team Manager) on 07713710357 or Jade Plummer (Senior Practitioner) on 01284 758351.

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 (Word).

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.

Step 4 – Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

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 and CV, 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 recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk 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.

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.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing: recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk 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: 11.30 pm, 26 February 2026.

Promoted as SPJ (Standard Plus Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

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).