Salary: £51,356 - £52,413 (plus an additional market factor supplement of £7,842)Location: Dalton in FurnessContract Type: Permanent
About this opportunity
Are you looking for a role that offers more than just career progression?
In Cumbria, you’ll find the space to breathe, shorter commutes, a lifestyle that supports genuine work-life balance without compromising on professional challenge or impact.
At Westmorland and Furness Council, we’re investing in local children’s homes so that young people can stay close to the people and communities that matter most. This Registered Manager role is a key part of that vision.
A large proportion of children and young people in residential care within Westmorland and Furness are often living away from their local communities. As part of an ambitious children’s home programme, we are addressing this and creating more local homes to enable children and young people to stay close to their family, friends and the wider support they require.
This post is a crucial leadership role within the Westmorland and Furness children’s home service. You will lead your team in supporting vulnerable young people and their families, helping them manage difficulties such as attachment, trauma, social exclusion, and emotional wellbeing. The service aims to provide high-quality local care, support and advice.
The service will also offer outreach and short-term residential placements to children at risk, using a therapeutic approach to reunite families, building on their existing strengths and resilience, and offering support post reunification to maintain safe and stable family life.
Supported by a passionate and dedicated team, this is a unique opportunity to help shape a developing service, while living and working in one of the UK’s most attractive regions.
Who we are looking for…
A compassionate and resilient leader with strong experience in children’s residential care and a commitment to safeguarding and achieving positive outcomes, with the ability to lead and support a team to deliver high-quality, child-centred care. The successful candidate will have expert knowledge of relevant legislation, safeguarding, and Ofsted requirements, alongside significant experience managing teams and supporting children with complex and additional needs.
The successful candidate will hold a Diploma Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or a Social work degree (or equivalent qualification) with the willingness to attain the Level 5 diploma in line with the quality standards.
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:
If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact either Nathan Whitley on 07920 154662 or Nathan.Whitley@WestmorlandandFurness.gov.uk or Scott Henry at scott.henry@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 14th June 2026
Interview date: 23rd June 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.