Job details
Job reference
REQ
Date posted
26/09/2025
Application closing date
19/10/2025
Location
CARLISLE & WORKINGTON
Salary
£81,049-£83,933
Package
Blank
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Full time
Senior Manager-Support and Protect-CMB2038e
Job description
Senior Manager – Support and Protect
Salary: £81,049 - £83,933 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Negotiable – base can be Workington or Carlisle
About this Opportunity
Cumberland Council is seeking a Senior Manager to join our Children and Family Wellbeing Service. This is a permanent leadership role with responsibility for the effective delivery of the Childrens assessment and support service (front door) and safeguarding services to children and families — including those subject to Child in Need and Child Protection plans, as well as children and young people within the Public Law Outline and Court proceedings.
As a Senior Manager, you'll provide strategic leadership, management oversight, and visible direction to ensure high standards of practice and service delivery. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping early permanence planning, driving practice improvement, and leading complex and high-risk work with children and families.
This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact, working in partnership, CAFCASS, the judiciary, Cumbria Police, health colleagues, and education services to ensure a whole-system approach from the point of contact with services through to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and young people.
The role offers flexibility to be based at either our Workington office (West Cumbria House) or our Carlisle office (Cumbria House).
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for an experienced and inspirational leader who is passionate about safeguarding and improving the lives of children and families. You'll bring:
* A recognised social work qualification (Honours Degree or equivalent).
* Extensive experience in services for children in need of help and protection.
* Proven leadership in managing teams, budgets, and high-risk, complex casework.
* Strong skills in building and influencing partnerships across agencies.
* Strategic vision and a commitment to learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
You'll be someone who can lead with confidence, inspire colleagues, and contribute to a culture of positivity and support, while maintaining a focus on achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.
Contact
For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Phillippa Holmes (Assistant Director – Social Care) by email at
DBS Checks
This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is - Enhanced DBS Check with a Children's and Adults Barred List check.
Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with Children.
Guaranteed Interviews
We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.
* Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
* Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
* Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces
If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.
Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments
We're dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That's why we're a proud Disability Confident Employer and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.
If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing While adjustments aren't always guaranteed, we'll always listen and we'll try our best to accommodate your needs.
Application and Interview information
Please upload a covering letter and CV with your application.
Closing date: 19th October 2025
Interview date: 30th October 2025
Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you're interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.
Please read the supporting information:
* Post Specification
Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:
* Our Staff Benefits
* Candidate Support
* About Cumberland Council
INDMR