Join us
We are recruiting now for experienced, permanent social workers in Children's Services, to make a real difference to the safety and well-being of children in Cumbria.
This is an exciting time to join us and we have a range of varied and interesting roles within our dedicated social work teams.
The roles
Some of the roles available: (for all available roles, please visit our careers page)
Social Workers
- Fostering Social Worker - South
- Social Worker - Children Looked After
- Children's Newly Qualified Social Workers - SW Academy - West Cumbria
- Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner
- Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer
If you would like to get in touch with us for an initial discussion or to apply sending your CV please contact - Sonyia.Curran@cumbria.gov.uk or Jeanette.Maye@cumbria.gov.uk or visit our jobs page
Local Government Reorganisation
From 1 April 2023 local government in Cumbria will change as we move towards Local Government reorganisation. The current six district councils and Cumbria County Council will be replaced by two new unitary authorities - Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council.
If you're employed by Cumbria County Council before 1 April 2023, you will be transferred to one of the two new councils unless you're on a temporary contract which expires before 31 March 2023. If this is the case, please speak to the hiring manager for more information.
You can find out more about LGR on our new website or watch our short 'What does LGR mean for me video.
Video: Linda, Senior Social Worker- working for Cumbria County Council
All children and young people in Cumbria deserve the best start in life and we're looking for the right people to help us make that happen.
We know happy employees make effective employees. That's why our Children's Social Workers feel safe, supported, and confident to work alongside children, young people and their families.
Cumbria is more than a place to work. It's a place to live, relax, raise a family, and experience the best of both city-living and some of the world's most beautiful countryside.
We want to let you know that we will support you in every way we can, to do what you do best - change lives.
If you are a Newly Qualified Social Worker the route for you is through our Social Work Academy - register your interest and be notified of future opportunities first, please sign up for email alerts
Overseas applicants
Applicants are advised that we are unable to sponsor immigration visas and therefore candidates must have the right to work in the UK prior to applying for positions.
Our offer to you
If you are considering moving to Cumbria, we understand relocating can be challenging and we offer a comprehensive package of support and benefits to help you settle in.
For experienced social workers, our offer includes a relocation package of up to £8,000. We're also offering a generous recruitment incentive for positions in West Cumbria.
There's a lot going on in Cumbria and more than you might think. We are home to England's largest National Park which is now a World Heritage Site, home to Scafell Pike - its highest mountain, Wastwater - its deepest lake and thriving communities across the county.
Join us in Cumbria and in addition to a fantastic career, you can enjoy a high quality of life, a perfect place to raise a family and pursue a wide variety of passions in some of the most stunning surroundings in the world.
We're recruiting across Cumbria in locations like Workington, Whitehaven, Kendal, Carlisle and Barrow.
West Cumbria House, Workington
Blencathra House, Whitehaven
Cumbria House, Carlisle
Craven House, Barrow
You will have access to a range of tools and ongoing support and coaching to develop your practice, including regular group supervision sessions, appreciative inquiry, and 'gatherings' where we celebrate what is working well and learn from best practice.
We have the following Aspiring Programmes:
- Enhanced Practitioners - through which practitioners are supported to develop their core skills and knowledge to allow their progression to the next level.
- Advanced Practitioners - this prepares our Enhanced Practitioner for the role of Advanced Practitioner covering the keys skills and knowledge required in the role.
- Team Managers - develops the attributes, skills and techniques to meet the day to day challenges teams face and to empower managers to become resilient role models for their teams.
Firstline Programme
A leadership development programme for first line managers.
Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Child Protection
Offered as part of the Teaching Partnership with Lancaster University linking cutting edge research.
Previous participants have said:
- "I found the quality of the teaching and tutors to be excellent."
- "The opportunity to pause and reflect on research across a broad range of subjects was invaluable."
- "Enjoyable to revisit academic style work, gained more skills in writing technique and my ability to hypothesise."
All of our practitioners are given mobile phones and laptops to allow them the opportunity to work flexibly and remotely. Our flexi-time scheme encourages a greater work life balance, helping employees to achieve and maintain an effective balance between work and home life.
About Cumbria County Council
We have and will continue to invest significantly in our social work services, and we're committed to increasing our workforce and reducing caseloads.
All our services share the same basic principle. Put simply, we strive to make a positive difference to the people and communities we serve. We are passionate about the people we serve and the people who work with us are at the heart of what we do.
Cumbria County Council employs over 6,000 people. As an employer, we focus on equality, communication, and people-friendly policies. We appreciate, reward and value your contribution and we're looking for people who share our sense of pride.
We are proud to be a modern and flexible employer. We focus on improving working environments and practices to ensure high quality service delivery and value for money. This gives our employees increasing work opportunities and flexibility, from home working to travelling around an area, or working with partners in other locations.
Our commitment to equality is more than just an obligation. In making our jobs and opportunities available to everyone, we're able to make the best choices from the broadest possible selection of people.
If you share our values and would like to make a difference to the people of Cumbria, then this is the place for you.