Location: Barrow, Kendal or Penrith (with a regular presence required in Barrow)Contract Type: Fixed term for 24 months
About the Role
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to developing a skilled, confident and sustainable social work workforce. As part of our continued investment in the Social Work Academy, we are seeking a Practice Improvement Lead to provide dedicated support to Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSWs) through their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment and social work students, with a particular focus on strengthening our workforce in Barrow.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the recruitment, development and retention of our future social workers.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic social work professional who is passionate about workforce development and supporting others to succeed.
You will:
Location Requirements
While this is a countywide role within the Children’s Social Work Academy, a significant part of the post will focus on supporting practitioners based in Barrow.
The successful candidate will therefore be required to spend a proportion of their working week physically based within the Barrow office, providing accessible face-to-face support, coaching, learning opportunities and professional guidance to NQSWs and social work students. Some travel across Westmorland and Furness may also be required.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future social work workforce within Westmorland and Furness. You will play a vital role in helping newly qualified social workers and students develop the confidence, skills and resilience needed to provide high-quality support to children and families.
If you are passionate about practice excellence, learning and development, and want to make a lasting impact on the future of social work, we would love to hear from you.
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:
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Katie Allison, Service Improvement Lead- Katie.Allison@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 13/09/2026
Interview date: 27/08/2026
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.