Location: Kendal, South Lakeland House
Contract Type: Fixed Term – 12 months
About this opportunity
Would you like to work in an environment where you can make a real impact in people's lives on a day-to-day basis? Working within our social work teams, you will be joining a passionate, driven team, dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for the people we support.
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Hospital Social Work Team as Lead Social Worker, fixed term until 22.2.27. This is to cover current secondments within the team.
This is a valuable opportunity to support the Team Manager and team in effective oversight of casework; promoting high standards of strength based, person centred practice.
The Lead Social Worker role will enhance professional support, reflective practice and quality assurance across the team, ensuring adults receive timely, proportionate and outcome focused interventions to promote independence and maximise strengths. It will also contribute to service development and performance whilst maintaining a clear focus on multi-agency working with stakeholders for collaboration and continuous improvement.
Who we are looking for…
A passionate and dedicated Social Worker, with demonstratable post-qualifying experience in professional practice backed by a Social Work Degree and registration with Social Work England. You will have significant experience in independent assessment and support planning, alongside a good working knowledge of current legislation, theoretical models and best practice approaches. The ideal candidate will be confident in balancing risk, making sound decisions in unpredictable situations, and contributing to team planning and resource allocation. Strong communication, people management, and collaboration skills are key in this role, as is the ability to create innovative, person-centred interventions that empower individuals and support others to do so.
The ideal candidate will hold qualifications and experience in the role of either Practice Educator, Approved Mental Health Professional or Best Interests Assessor.
There will be a requirement to work collaboratively within the Transfer of Care Hub for Multi-disciplinary discussions, and for Social Work intervention during hospital admission in order to facilitate and support strength-based Hospital discharge plans.
The ideal candidate will have experience providing supervision, guidance and support to team members at all levels, case load management and ability to assess, manage, escalate risks. We are looking for an individual with proven ability to demonstrate sound professional judgement and autonomous decision making along with proven experience of leadership skills.
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 Ariana Apgar on 07825340168 - Ariana.Apgar@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
Application and Interview information
Closing date: 7th May 2026
Interview date: TBC
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.
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 Adults Barred List check.
Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with 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 adults.
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.
