At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage children's safeguarding services, ensuring high standards of practice.
- Company: Cumberland Council, dedicated to improving lives of children and families.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with guaranteed interviews for eligible applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and extensive experience in child protection.
The predicted salary is between 81049 - 83932 £ per year.
Salary: £81,049 to £83,932 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Workington or Carlisle (base location negotiable). Hybrid role requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office, with the remaining two days working from home.
Contract: Permanent
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 Children’s 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 with 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.
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.
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 Leader 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.
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
- Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).
Contact
For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Joe Banham (Assistant Director – Social Care) by email at joe.banham@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.
Senior Manager - Support and Protect - CMB2606e in Carlisle employer: The Cumbria County Council
Cumbria County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises diversity and inclusion. As a Lighting Engineer in the picturesque Lake District, you will benefit from competitive remuneration, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on local communities through innovative lighting solutions.
Contact Details:
The Cumbria County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager - Support and Protect - CMB2606e in Carlisle
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at The Cumbria County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from The Cumbria County Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like The Cumbria County Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at The Cumbria County Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager - Support and Protect - CMB2606e in Carlisle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to The Cumbria County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Cumbria County Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Cumbria County Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
