Practice Lead (Redeployment 22633)

• Suffolk County Council
• Address:Beacon HouseIpswich IP1 5PB - Hybrid
• Salary:48163 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours:37 hours per week flexible working options available
• Contract:Permanent

Were committed to making a meaningful difference to people and communities across Suffolk by championing high standards in adult social care.

We do this by listening to our practitioners learning from lived experience and fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration where everyone plays a part in achieving the best possible outcomes.

As a Practice Lead Direct Payments in Adult Social Care you will play a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening direct payment practice across Suffolk. You will lead a specialist team support colleagues across the directorate and drive continuous improvement to ensure people can access greater choice control and personalisation in how their care and support needs are met.

If you are passionate about delivering our Direct Payments and Personalisation Strategy enjoy working collaboratively and want to make a lasting impact for adults carers and communities we would love to hear from you.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

Through our adult social care strategy People at the Heart of Care we are in the midst of an exciting transformation of our direct payments offer. Our ambition is to significantly increase the number of people in Suffolk who choose a Direct Payment enabling more individuals to benefit from increased personalisation independence and control.

As Practice Lead you will play a central role in making this ambition a reality. You will lead a specialist direct payments team while also influencing and supporting wider practice development across the Adult Social Care directorate embedding highquality consistent and confident direct payment practice.

You will provide professional leadership guidance and support to social care practitioners including the management of the temporary direct payments team helping to deliver positive outcomes for adults families and carers through direct payments. You will lead on the development of direct payment support services working closely with colleagues in Financial Inclusion and Advice Services to respond to complex issues and increase direct payment uptake across the county.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues partners and communities to ensure services are inclusive personcentred and responsive to local needs while fostering a strong culture of learning reflection and professional development within your team.

You will be empowered to make a real difference every day working alongside committed colleagues who share your passion for excellence in adult social care.

You will need

• Substantial experience within adult social care with a strong track record of leading and developing highquality practice.
• Proven ability to provide effective operational leadership to a skilled and highprofile team and to influence practice across wider Adult Social Care.
• Excellent communication coaching and mentoring skills.
• A strong commitment to equality diversity and inclusion.
• Confidence in analysing complex situations and making sound professional decisions.
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy and selfdirection.
• Competence in using Microsoft Office applications.
• Confidence in presenting clearly and effectively to large groups.
• A recognised Social Work qualification with current Social Work England registration or a recognised Occupational Therapy qualification with current Health and Care Professions Council registration.

You can view a full list of requirements in theJob and Person Profile (Word).If you believe you can succeed in this role apply. Even if you dont meet all requirements still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

The Direct Payment Team is dedicated to ensuring that direct payments are promoted and delivered across Adult Social Care supporting opportunities to develop the workforces understanding and promotion of direct payments to meet eligible care and support needs. Alongside our Financial Inclusion & Advice Service (FIAS) the team play a crucial role in delivering the Direct Payments and Personalisation Strategy fostering a culture of continuous development and ensuring that good practice is shared across the directorate. The role will require the Practice Lead to provide leadership and management to a team of Social Workers and Independence and Wellbeing Practitioners develop policy and practice guidance and work with partners to implement the changes to Direct Payment Support Services.

Empowering Everyone

Were big believers in potential possibility and the power of different ideas. Were 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 ourWorkforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Fiona Raffe(she/her) for a casual conversation. You can contact her by calling or emailing

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 theSupporting Statement template (Word).

1. What key skills demonstrate your ability to influence improved direct payments practice across Adult Social Care
2. Describe a time when you led or influenced change in a pressurised environment. How did you motivate others and what strategies did you use to support practice development
3. Describe a time when you have influenced changes in policy culture or practice across a service or organisation. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them

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

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 at or. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If youre invited to the next stage youll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11:30pm 19 April 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