Location
London Borough of Sutton, The Old Rectory, Festival Walk, Carshalton.

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£44,685 per annum

About the Borough
The London Borough of Sutton is located less than 30 minutes by train from Central London, with direct connections to London Victoria and London Bridge. Situated in zone 5, Sutton offers excellent transport links, award-winning parks and open spaces, low crime rates, affordable housing, and great schools. The borough is known for high levels of resident engagement and satisfaction, delivering quality services while addressing financial challenges and involving residents in key issues and local developments.

About the Role
We are seeking Enabling Independence Officers (EIO) to join our Adult Social Care Service, formerly known as Assessment Officers. The role focuses on empowering adults to live as independently as possible within the community. Responsibilities include conducting assessments of individuals in need of social care, gathering information from multiple sources to determine support levels, and collaborating with social workers, healthcare providers, and the NHS to ensure service users receive appropriate care in line with the Care Act.

EIOs in the Transition Team support people using a person-centred, prevention and strength-based approach. You will work proactively to identify individuals at risk of developing social care needs, liaising with health partners, community groups, service users, and residents to facilitate co-production. You will complete proportionate assessments for equipment and adaptations to prevent, reduce, or delay needs.

The role also involves supporting young people to increase independence in specific life areas identified in their Care Act 2014 assessment, enabling them to develop skills to complete tasks without relying on social care support. This requires working creatively and collaboratively with individuals, their families, health partners, community groups, education, and children's services.

We offer a comprehensive training package, mandatory learning, robust supervision, mentoring, and encourage reflective practice to support your professional development. Sutton is committed to building an empowered workforce capable of working autonomously to provide valuable care services to our community.

Our Offer to You
We provide a supportive, friendly, and collaborative environment to help you grow and develop your career and skills. Your ideas and contributions are encouraged and supported by a dynamic and experienced management team. Benefits include generous annual leave (26-31 days plus bank holidays, pro-rata if part-time), enhanced family leave options, two volunteering days per year, flexible working schemes, adjustable working arrangements with technology support, access to a learning and development portal, discounts at local shops and leisure facilities, interest-free season ticket loans, Local Government Pension Scheme, bicycle loan and cycle to work schemes, Zipcar scheme, and confidential health, wellbeing, and counselling support.

Application Process
Please apply online outlining your skills, abilities, and experience relevant to this role. We value authenticity and expect personalised responses demonstrating your motivation and alignment with our PRIDE values. The closing date is indicative; early application is advised as we may close the vacancy once sufficient applications are received. Sutton anonymises applications to reduce bias and promotes diversity and inclusion throughout the recruitment process.

Additional Information
We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming borough, committed to reflecting the community we serve. We offer inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, and networks supporting diversity. Sutton is a disability confident employer and guarantees interviews for disabled applicants meeting minimum criteria. We are an accredited London Living Wage Employer. Sponsorship for work visas is considered on a case-by-case basis and is subject to eligibility and budget.

Experience
- NVQ Level 3 or relevant experience working with vulnerable people, families, or carers.
- Prior experience conducting assessments in a social care setting.
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Knowledge of social care legislation including the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005.

About You
- Ability to communicate complex social issues clearly to both patients and professionals.
- Strong interpersonal skills with empathy and sensitivity towards individuals facing difficult circumstances.
- Ability to plan and coordinate social care plans and aspects of resident discharge.
- Passionate about making a difference and building effective relationships.
- Willingness to work proactively and creatively using a person-centred, prevention and strength-based approach.

Qualifications
- Level 3 or 4 Trusted Assessor qualification, or willingness to complete this training.
- Sound knowledge and ability to deliver social work support to service users and their families.
- Commitment to ongoing learning and development supported by comprehensive training and mentoring.