Newly Qualified Social Workers in Workington

Are you a Newly Qualified Social Worker or a Student Social Worker nearing the end of your studies? If so, we would love to hear from you! Children and Family Wellbeing are seeking Newly Qualified Social Workers to join our innovative Children's Academy for Social Care where you will be supported to thrive and have the time needed to develop excellent social work practice! If you are passionate about relationships, improving outcomes for children and making a real difference within your community then this role could be for you!

Positions are available in Carlisle and Workington for a start date in April 2026. This is a 16 month post to allow completion of your ASYE; upon successful completion of your ASYE year you will automatically be moved to a permanent post and become a grade 11 Social Worker. We are rated good by OFSTED and our recent Skills for Care Quality Assurance visit feedback stated that our ASYE programme was working well across all domains; it is therefore a really exciting time to join us as we build upon our existing success and strive for excellence.

As a Newly Qualified Social Worker you will spend up to 6 months in our Academy team before transitioning to one of our locality teams. You will receive the following benefits and support from our academy:

• A 3-week induction of workshops, shadowing opportunities and reflective supervisions to introduce you to the world of social work in Cumberland. During this time you will not be allocated any families so that you can focus on your learning and induction.
• You will be allocated a Team Manager that will be your ASYE Assessor throughout the duration of your ASYE year.
• Fortnightly group supervision for 6 months and monthly thereafter to aid critical reflection.
• Monthly workshops to aid learning and development.
• Protected time to complete ASYE portfolio tasks.
• 1:1 supervision in line with the ASYE programme requirements; weekly for 6 weeks, fortnightly until 6 months and monthly thereafter.
• A capped caseload that is built up over time in line with your skills, experience and interests.
• To ensure the right pace of learning we can guarantee there will be no holding of child protection or public law court work within your first 12 months.

In addition to our strong ASYE offer we also have a career framework that sets out support and development opportunities through different stages of a Social Workers career; including a year 2 offer which supports Social Workers post ASYE as they navigate working with increased complexity.

We are 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 Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

To improve outcomes for children and young people in Cumbria by listening to the voice of the child, young person and their family, understanding their need and working together to agree how these needs will be met with the right help and support. To assess, deliver, plan, implement and evaluate services and support to individuals and groups and to improve community capacity and/or service users wellbeing and/or skills. To work in a team and manage an allocated caseload of varying complexity under supervision.

• To use active listening, observation and communication to build relationships with families, children and young people.
• Under support and guidance, gather information to understand, identify and assess complexity and seriousness of need through investigation and analysis of information within children's services procedures.
• With support and guidance, liaise with partners and colleagues to assess and understand the impact of need and analyse the information in order to formulate needs led outcomes focused plans for children and families.
• Participate in the planning and reviewing of child protection cases and of cases of children in care, where necessary and with support, working with a range of legal options to support investigation and protection.
• Keep the necessary records that describe and support an analysis of the child's experience clearly identify the child's voice and demonstrate any decision making rationale.
• To ensure practice is informed by evidence and theory.
• To understand the roles and accountabilities of other professionals in order to ensure the appropriate services are provided to meet the identified needs.
• To share skills and knowledge to build capacity with other professionals across all agencies and identify gaps in provision.
• To evaluate own practice and identify need for professional support and development.
• To be open to engage in peer support and challenge and be able to work as a member of a team.
• Conduct work in accordance with social work core values, Children's Services policies and procedures, the Council's core values and corporate standards including anti-oppressive practice approaches.
• Undertake such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the grading and nature of the post.
• Ensure that the District is at all times pursuing good individual relations and fair personnel, health and safety, equal opportunity and management practices. To take reasonable care of your own health and safety.
• Enhance the Council's image within the community by promoting awareness of services and achievements and enable them to participate in informed decision making which contributes to service planning.

• Understanding and application of theoretical approaches, practices and procedures relevant to practice with children and their families.
• Some knowledge of Assessment and Case Management Processes and outcome based planning.
• Some knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Awareness of departmental and council objectives and initiatives.
• Knowledge of Children's Services assessment tools (Desirable).
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team with internal and external colleagues sharing and co-ordinating resources.
• Ability to plan work and meet deadlines.
• Work directly with vulnerable children.
• Liaise with external and internal partners on day-to-day service issues.
• Clear and concise verbal skills with children and adults.
• Ability to assess and manage some risk effectively.
• Professional integrity, reliability and consistency.
• Explicit use of social work values e.g. ability to work in a non-discriminatory manner, respecting individuals rights and choices.
• Ability to work under pressure and emotional stress effectively.
• Good communication skills, ability to produce clear written and verbal reports.
• Ability to take initiative and work innovatively with children and families within policy and procedures.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workload and work to deadlines.
• Ability to undertake extensive travelling in the designated area.

• Social Work Degree.
• Social Work England Registration.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in a social care/social work post qualification.
• Some experience in work with children and families, pre/post or during qualification.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.