Hours: 37 hours

Location: Barrow

Contract: Permanent

The advertised salary includes a supplement (JWC) to the base grade of the post. JWC supplements are conditional on the physical demands and /or working conditions of the role.

Come and start your social work career at an Ofsted rated ‘good’ Children and Families Service.

About this opportunity

We have some exciting opportunities for dedicated and qualified Social Workers to be part of our Cared for and Support and Protect Teams. We are looking for motivated, hard-working, and dedicated people to join our teams to help develop and deliver exceptional service to improve outcomes for children and families in Westmorland and Furness.

We are passionate about delivering the best outcomes to children and young people in Westmorland and Furness. To find out more about our social work teams and how we can support you please see the below document:

Join our Social Work Team

About our teams

Support and Protect Team - The role is very varied as we work with families on a short-term basis whilst completing assessments and on a longer term basis working Child in Need Plans and Child Protection Plans and in some cases we complete pre proceedings work and issue care proceedings. We work with all young people from birth up to the age of 18, having strong links with other agencies and teams in Westmorland.

Cared For Team - You will be working with children who are currently cared for by the Local Authority, making sure they have the right care plan in place to reach their potential, or alongside young people who are leaving or have left care, helping them to gain their independence. You will also be responsible for assessing children who are found to be seeking asylum.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for Social Workers with a ‘can do’ attitude who are child focused, like to think outside of the box and are creative in their planning with children. We are looking for people who share our vision and ambition and have the ability to inspire the trust and confidence of professionals across a range of agencies. We are keen to recruit those who have successful experience in a similar role and a good knowledge of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. If this sounds like you and you share our passion for the service, then apply today!

What we can offer you:

Living and 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.

If this sounds like an opportunity you would be interested in, and you’re looking for a role where you can make a positive difference in the lives of children in Westmorland and Furness, then please apply today, alternatively if you want an informal chat about the role please contact emma.jackson@cumbria.gov.uk

DBS

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.

Application and Interview information

This is a rolling advert meaning 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.

Safer Recruitment

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.

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, that meet the essential criteria for the role.

Please read the Supporting Information:

Post Specification

Role Profile

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Kendal

Contract: Permanent

About this opportunity

We are looking to appoint a Bereavement Services Officer, to be based out of our Kendal Office, to work within the existing team to deliver a caring and empathetic service to customers and continue to uphold the high standards within our cemetery sites.

The Role

The successful candidate will be a key part of the team, supporting the public in their enquiries, working closely with Funeral Directors and Stone Masons as well as assisting with co-ordinating the day-to-day functions of burials and grounds maintenance based across Westmorland and Furness.

The Bereavement Services Officer role is multi-faceted and as such the post holders will be expected to work across the range of Bereavement Services areas which will include both cemetery and crematorium duties.

This role requires a person able to deal with bereaved customers in a caring and professional manner. It will also involve attending funerals at the grave side or in the Chapel; inspecting memorials and sites; and assisting customers within cemeteries which can mean working in all weather conditions. Training will be given as required.

We are looking for someone with excellent attention to detail and with previous knowledge of this essential and sensitive service. Candidates must possess excellent literacy, numeracy and ICT skills as well as high level organisational and communication skills. The successful candidate will present a confident, professional image of the service at all times.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who is confident and can work independently, with excellent organisational skills and an ability to use their own initiative.

Having a keen eye for detail and an accurate approach to your work, you will possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

Bereavement Services are part of Community Infrastructure which includes our parks and open spaces, libraries and heritage sites.

What can we offer you!

• Excellent training and development offers.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Boost your pension with Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (facilitated by AVC Wise).
• Various perks and discounts schemes, including money off your phone contract and local gyms.
• Competitive rates of pay.
• A 12-month digital trial (from 1 June 2024) of a new scheme that allows free workplace car parking for employees in all Westmorland and Furness Council owned car parks between Monday to Friday.

If you are interested in the post and would like to have an informal discussion please contact: Josh McLeod – Bereavement Services Lead on 01539 793125 or josh.mcleod@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 26 January 2025

Interview date: W/C 3 February 2025

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Safer Recruitment

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.

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, that meet the essential criteria for the role.

Please read the Supporting Information:

Post Specification

Role Profile