Children’s Social Care Academy – Carlisle & Workington 

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £32,076 - £33,024 per annum

The advertised salaries includes a supplement (JWC) to the base grade of the post. JWC supplements are conditional on the physical demands and /or working conditions of the role.

About this opportunity

Are you a student Social Worker nearing the end of your degree or a Newly Qualified Social Worker (NQSW) wanting to take your first step into social work? If so, Cumberland Children & Family Wellbeing have exciting opportunities for you join our new Academy. If you are passionate about working with our children and their families and are an ambitious newly qualified social worker – We want to hear from you!

Looking to return to practice and require Social Work England Restoration?  Get in touch with our Principal Social Worker today via lyndsey.smith@cumbria.gov.uk to discuss options for doing your 30 or 60 day placement.

Our Social Care Academy supports Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW) through their assisted year in practice and beyond. As a NQSW you will be based in the Academy team for up to 6 months allowing you time to develop skills and experience prior to moving into a locality team full time. You will spend a minimum of once per week in your host locality team to build relationships with your colleagues. You will benefit from a range of opportunities to access continued professional development and will be provided with high levels of support, mentoring and opportunities for reflection. The overall aim is to support Newly Qualified Social Workers to become confident and inspiring practitioners who successfully support children and their families to achieve positive outcomes.

Cumberland Council are a new Local Authority which means this is an extremely exciting time as we develop our services with passion, innovation and in collaboration with our workforce and community. It is really important to us that Cumberland is a great place to be a child and grow up; a place of opportunity where young people are able to live happy and productive lives and a place where young people will want to live and work in the future. Health and Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do, we aim to be Ambitious, Collaborative, Compassionate, Empowering, and Innovative.

We will give you dedicated support if you are considering relocation to Cumberland as we appreciate that this is an important step in your move to a new post with us. For those who are successful for the role, we offer non social worker roles until commencement of the Academy in September 2024. This supports networking opportunities whilst receiving an income.

If this sounds like you, and you share our passion, then please get in touch!
Cumberland Council’s coaching program is designed to equip you with the skills, confidence, and strategies needed to excel in any interview scenario and offer guidance in any preparation that you may need to do. If you would like to have an informal discussion for this role, please get in touch at the earliest opportunity and email ashleigh.johnston@cumbria.gov.uk or call 07824407730.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity with our Principle Social Worker, Lyndsey Smith on lyndsey.smith@cumbria.gov.uk or 07827313848.

If you join our Social Care Academy to complete your ASYE you can expect the following:

• High quality supervision that offers opportunities for reflective discussions to test hypothesis, decision making and outcomes.
• Allocation of a highly skilled Children’s Academy Team Manager who will continue to support and assess you during your ASYE Year and beyond.
• A variety of work which is built up over time to allow you time to learn and develop alongside gaining valuable experience.  
• A comprehensive induction to help you understand the organisation and the work we do.
• Shadowing opportunities with highly skilled practitioners.
• Monthly group supervisions.
• Monthly practice development workshops.
• Access to in-house training via workforce development.
• Invitations to staff engagement and celebration events.
• Access to resources and training from Research in Practice.
• Support from ASYE / PE Co-ordinators who will support and guide you when completing ASYE portfolio work.
• Support and training in Signs of Safety methodologies with families, so that this practice naturally informs assessments and interventions with children and families.
• Opportunities to joint work with experienced Social Workers who are supporting children living in complex situations including children who are in our care, subject to child protection plans and child in need plans. This will help prepare NQSWs for more independent practice as their experience grows.
• Outreach support from the Academy while you continue to learn and develop as part of the 0-2 year career framework
• Graduation celebration event to celebrate your successful completion of your ASYE year. 
• Automatic progression to a Level 5 Social Worker post upon successful completion of your ASYE year.

• Reimbursement of your Social Work England registration / renewal fees.
• We know that having a good work / life balance is important, that’s why we offer a number of different flexible working options such as 9 day fortnights, hybrid working and family-friendly work patterns such as flexible start and finish times.
• You will receive an increased salary upon successful completion of your probationary period.
• We offer a mileage allowance and access to company pool cars. Tusker Car Leasing Scheme and Car Loan Schemes are also available.
• Relocation packages are available with financial incentives of up to £8000. (Terms and conditions apply)
• You will have frequent interaction with our welcoming Senior Leadership Team who foster a supportive and collaborative working environment.
• You will have regular meetings with your Principal Social Worker via monthly drop ins and participation events where you will be able to share your good ideas, showcase good practice and have reflective discussions.
• Strong Partnerships with Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria for the purposes of practice education and research.
• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution.
• Generous Annual Leave Entitlement
• Maternity, Paternity, Adoption and Parental Leave.
• Sickness Pay
• Cycle to work scheme, 20% off childcare discount for working parents, free eye tests and so much more.

DBS

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check with an Adults and Children’s Barred List check.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with adults and 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 Adults and Children.

Safer Recruitment

At Cumberland Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all employees, volunteers and the Externally Provided Workforce (EPWs) to share this commitment.

Closing date: 19^th April 2024
Interview date: W/c 29^th April 2024.

Post Specification

Role Profile