Location: South Lakeland House (Kendal) and Craven House ( Barrow-in-Furness)Contract Type: x3 Permanent Positions
Hours: 37 per week
About this opportunity
Come and start your social work career within an Ofsted‑rated ‘Good’ Children and Families Service, where staff wellbeing is a clear priority. We are proud to be finalists in the Supportive Social Work Employer category at the National Social Worker of the Year Awards 2025.
Our teams are area based, meaning you work within local communities so will be able to build links with families and partner agencies. It is really important to us that Westmorland and Furness 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.
We firmly believe that all children in Westmorland and Furness deserve the best start in life, and we're looking for the right people to help make that happen.
We have current Newly Qualified Social Work opportunities within our Support and Protect teams and Cared For Teams.
Support and Protect: working with children and families on a short- longer term basis, completing assessments and working across the thresholds of Child in Need and Child Protection. Also, for some children where concerns escalate, working in the legal framework of pre-proceedings or within the court arena.
Cared For: working with children and young people would are cared for by Westmorland & Furness Council
Who we are looking for…
We are recruiting Newly Qualified Social Workers looking to take their first steps into a career in social work.
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 childrenssocialworkacademy@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 28/10/2026
Interview date: applications will be considered as and when we receive them. If you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you directly to arrange an interview date and time
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.
For guidance on the recruitment process, FAQs, and useful tips for completing your application, please visit: Our Approach to Recruitment | Careers
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 a enhanced DBS check.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check with a Children’s & Adults 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.
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.