About This Opportunity
This role is central to ensuring effective safeguarding and care planning for children in need of protection or those looked after by the local authority. You will chair statutory reviews, child protection conferences, and complex strategy meetings, ensuring that every child has a robust plan that reflects their needs, wishes, and feelings. Through close liaison with professionals and interrogation of data systems, you will monitor and challenge care arrangements, ensuring they meet high standards. The role also involves providing expert advice, contributing to training and service quality assurance, and promoting the resolution of concerns through the review process, in line with Independent Reviewing Officer guidance.
To be successful in this role, you must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
This role is available on a permanent basis.
Cumberland Council is proud to hold an Ofsted rating of 'Good’ for our Children’s Services, demonstrating our dedication and strong commitment to providing high-quality services for children and families. Ofsted recognised that staff unanimously report a ‘real buzz about working in Cumberland’ and that they feel ‘energised, valued and listened to’, observing that ‘leaders have established a strong Cumberland identity that staff can be proud of’.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.
We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.
Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.
Contact
For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Mark.Casey@cumbria.gov.uk or Joyce.Aylward@cumbria.gov.uk.
DBS Checks
This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is - Enhanced DBS Check with a Children’s 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 Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 11th May 2025
Interview date: TBC
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
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