Occupational Therapist

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.

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

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 [email removed]. Alternatively,please contact Fiona Smith by emailing [email removed]

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 answering the following question below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word). 

Please explain how you would demonstrate Suffolk County Council's Home First reablement values in your day-to-day practice, including promoting independence, empowering people through a strengths-based approach, treating individuals with dignity, and delivering value for money.

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 by emailing [email removed] or calling [phone removed]. 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: 11.30 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

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