Senior Analyst – Children’s Social Care Reforms.

About this opportunity

Opportunity to support Children’s Social Care Reforms as data lead.

As we continue to improve and transform our children’s services, exciting opportunities have arisen for staff members to take a leading role in shaping the future of children’s services in Cumberland.

Our ongoing social care reforms aim to create a system that is more family-focused, responsive, and sustainable, ensuring children and families receive the best possible support. This transformation requires innovative thinking, collaboration, and strong leadership at every level.

Why Get Involved?

• Make a real difference: Your ideas and expertise can directly impact how we support children and families.
• Develop your skills: Leading reform projects will help you grow professionally and build new capabilities.
• Collaborate across teams: Work with colleagues, partners, and communities to create meaningful change.
• Shape the future: Be at the forefront of pioneering approaches that improve outcomes and service efficiency.

Visibility is a priority working alongside leaders and operational staff within children’s service, including being in the office three days per week (Cumbria House, and travel when necessary).

This role is available on a fixed-term basis.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a passionate individual interested in being part of our Families First Project Team for 12 months.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual, ideally educated to degree level (or equivalent experience), with a keen interest in supporting services to use data as evidence for decision-making who is able to work under pressure and who is able to demonstrate the ability to decipher, interpret and apply national guidance to ensure related data is accurate, auditable, timely and meets requirements.

Experienced in working with large and complex datasets and presenting analysis using a variety of IT packages, you will have excellent IT skills and proven ability to learn new packages as well as knowledge of relevant specialist software – in particular a broad working knowledge of Power BI (and/or other similar visualisation packages), SSRS, SQL including sound experience of case management systems such as System C.

To apply for this post, you must:

• Be able to demonstrate the ability to decipher, interpret and apply national guidance on children's social care statutory performance returns and new social care reforms to ensure any data and related submissions are accurate, auditable, timely and meet prescribed standards.
• Be educated to degree (or equivalent) level in a relevant subject OR equivalent level of relevant experience.
• Have excellent IT skills (including in Microsoft packages) as well as good literacy and numeracy skills and demonstrable, effective problem-solving skills.
• Have broad experience of managing and analysing data from database to dashboard.
• Be able to produce charts tables, maps, dashboards and employ statistical/analytical techniques including extracting data from systems and understanding database relationships.
• Have experience of presenting data and information using a variety of IT packages and knowledge of specialist software that underpins the team's work areas such as Power BI and/or other similar visualisation packages.
• Show attention to detail for the accuracy of information and show evidence of attention to detail in working methods.
• Possess good presentation, written and verbal communication skills, good interpersonal skills and good organisational skills with the ability to work as part of a team as well as on your own initiative (including working from home)

Similarly, we are seeking 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. We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

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, Assistant Director Family Help, Partnerships and Youth Justice by email at jane.wheeler@cumberland.gov.uk

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.

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date:              23rd October
• Interview date:           30th October

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council