About this opportunity

Are you a Newly Qualified Social Worker or a Student Social Worker nearing the end of your studies? If so, we would love to hear from you!

Cumberland Children and Family Wellbeing are seeking Newly Qualified Social Workers to join our highly supportive Children’s Academy for Social Care. If you are passionate about achieving positive outcomes for our children and their families, then this could be the role for you!

Positions are available in Carlisle and Workington for a start date in September 2025. This is a 16-month post to allow completion of your ASYE year; upon successful completion of your ASYE year you will automatically be moved to a permanent post and become a grade 11 Social Worker.

We are rated good by OFSTED and our recent Skills for Care Quality Assurance visit feedback stated that our ASYE programme was working well across all domains; it is therefore a really exciting time to join us as we build upon our existing success and strive for excellence.

As a Newly Qualified Social Worker you will spend up to 6 months in our Academy team before transitioning to one of our locality teams. You will receive the following benefits and support from our academy:

• A 4-week induction of workshops, shadowing opportunities and reflective supervisions to introduce you to the world of social work in Cumberland. During this time you will not be allocated any families so that you can focus on your learning and induction.
• You will be allocated a Team Manager that will be your ASYE Assessor throughout the duration of your ASYE year.
• Fortnightly group supervision for 6 months and monthly thereafter to aid critical reflection.
• Monthly workshops to aid learning and development.
• Protected time to complete ASYE portfolio tasks.
• 1:1 supervision in line with the ASYE programme requirements; weekly for 6 weeks, fortnightly until 6 months and monthly thereafter.
• A capped caseload that is built up over time in line with your skills, experience and interests.
• To ensure the right pace of learning we can guarantee there will be no holding of child protection or public law court work within your first 12 months.
• In addition to our strong ASYE offer we also have a career framework that sets out support and development opportunities through different stages of a Social Worker’s career; including a year 2 offer which supports Social Worker’s post ASYE as they navigate working with increased complexity.

Feedback / staff testimonials:

“Staff unanimously report that there is a real buzz about working in Cumberland. They feel energised, valued and listened to” – OFSTED 2024

“My Team Manager has been helpful and approachable throughout our time here”. – NQSW

“I feel the induction was really helpful and the information given was beneficial to our practice” – NQSW

Cumberland Council is proud to hold an Ofsted rating of 'Good’ for our Children’s Services, demonstrating our dedication and strong commitment to providing high-quality services for children and families. Ofsted recognised that staff unanimously report a ‘real buzz about working in Cumberland’ and that they feel ‘energised, valued and listened to’, observing that ‘leaders have established a strong Cumberland identity that staff can be proud of’.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for 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 our Children’s Academy Team by email at childrensacademy@cumbria.gov.uk.

DBS Checks
This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is - Enhanced DBS Check with a Childrens and Adults Barred List check.

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

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.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 23^rd March 2025

Interview date: 1^st & 2^nd April 2025

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