Location: Barrow, Kendal or Penrith
Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Learning Improvement Service (LIS) supporting our work across the education system in Westmorland and Furness Council. We are advertising this role to develop our capacity to fulfil our LA statutory duties in education.

The LIS Team cover several areas including: Early Years, Schools, Alternative Provision, Post 16, SEND, Safeguarding and maintained school governance. This role is focused on schools, colleges and Alternative providers to support educational improvement across the council in their core educational assurance and improvement duties. 

The role involves working closely with colleagues within the LIS team and across Children’s Services and other Directorates.

Who we are looking for…

We are looking to recruit an experienced, innovative and adaptable education improvement professional to join our Learning Improvement Service Team. 

The postholder will lead on Post 16 and Alternative Provision and will work across secondary and primary education settings as a General Adviser.

If successful, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the council team within a self-improving education system for the benefit of all children and young people in Westmorland and Furness. 

The role will include the opportunity to work with multi-agency partners within an enthusiastic, committed team of education improvement professionals, Early Years, Access to Education and SEND colleagues.

The successful applicant will:

• Work with all stakeholders involved in a system-led collaborative partnership  to improve outcomes for all, from Early Years to Post-16 across Westmorland and Furness;
• Support a range of solutions that encourage collaboration and support sector-led school improvement;
• Recent substantial and successful experience of senior leadership and school improvement;
• Work closely with the Senior Adviser and Chair of the Local Alliance of System Leaders (LASL) to identify schools, academies, settings and providers in need of support to improve;
• Work with relevant Westmorland and Furness Council and LASL colleagues to ensure that statutory functions are met.

The skills required includes:

• Excellent, demonstrable communication and interpersonal skills (both oral and written) at all levels.
• Establish quickly effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, groups and organisations.
• Sort, analyse and evaluate information; apply criteria and make judgements.
• Work effectively as an individual and in a team.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Lesley Nixon 07880457362 lesley.nixon@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 14/09/2026

Interview date:  30/09/2026

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

If you experience any technical difficulties applying for this role, please contact the HR Systems Team at HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an 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.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.