Families First Practice Development Lead

*Internal Applicants Only*

Salary: £47,181 - £48,226

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: 12 months fixed-term

Location: Cumbria House, Carlisle

About this Opportunity

We are seeking a passionate and experienced practitioner to lead practice transformation within Children’s Services.

This interim leadership role is focused on driving a Families First Reform Programme in its early stages. The successful candidate will lead transformation across children’s services, particularly around:

• Front door services
• Early help
• Family safeguarding

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead targeted training, monthly group reflective sessions, and one-to-one consultations.
• Support the creation of a Family Help Lead Practitioner (FHLP) role to ensure continuity for families.
• Scoping and evaluating current practice
• Building project teams and piloting new approaches
• Embedding the Empowering Families Practice Framework
• Leading transformation with partners (health, police, social care)
• Champion a strengths-based, child-centred culture across Children’s Services.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and the Principal Social Worker to improve practice and audit quality.
• Drive workforce development and contribute to strategic planning through data and performance insights.

Who we’re looking for

You will need to hold a degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline such as Youth Work, Health, Education, or Social Care. In addition, you should bring. Proven expertise in children’s services transformation and extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of working with children, young people, and their families

If you’re ready to make a real impact and help shape the future of Children’s services, we’d love to hear from you.

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 Jane.Wheeler@cumberland.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: 24th October 2025

Interview date: 4th and 5th November

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

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