Job Description

Job details

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Job reference
REQ00000018954
Date posted
19/09/2025
Application closing date
12/10/2025
Location
WORKINGTON
Salary
51,356 - 52,413
Package
Blank
Contractual hours
37
Basis
Full time

Independent Reviewing Officer - CMB2037e

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Job description

Independent Reviewing Officer (x2 roles)

Salary: 51,356 - 52,413

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: West Cumbria House, Workington

Contract: Fixed-term

About this opportunity

We're excited to offer two fantastic opportunities to join our team. One role is a maternity cover position where you'll play a key part in our work until the permanent postholder returns, with the expected end date of 30 October 2026. The other is a 6-month fixed-term contract -- a great chance to contribute your skills, build experience, and make an impact over a shorter period.





The role is central to ensuring effective safeguarding and care planning for children in need of protection and those children cared for by the Local Authority. You will chair statutory Cared For Reviews, Child Protection Conferences, and complex strategy meetings, ensuring that every child has a robust plan that reflects their needs, wishes, and feelings. Through close liaison with professionals and interrogation of data systems, you will monitor and challenge care arrangements, ensuring they are of a high standard & meet the needs of our Cared For children. The role also involves providing expert advice, contributing to training and service quality assurance, in addition to promoting the resolution of concerns through the Outcome Resolution Process, in line with Independent Reviewing Officer statutory guidance.





To be successful in this role, you must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.




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 Mark.Casey@cumbria.gov.uk

DBS Checks

This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is - 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.

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 Leader 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: Sunday 12th October

Interview date: Monday 27th October

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