Senior Manager - Fostering Adoption and Resources - CMB2680e

Cumberland Council; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 84,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Cumberland Council is seeking a Senior Manager to shape the future of fostering, adoption, permanence and residential care across the county. You will lead strategic initiatives within Children's and Family Wellbeing, driving innovation to ensure high-quality and safe support for children and families.

Based at Cumbria House, Carlisle, you will strengthen local sufficiency and work with partners to improve outcomes for Cumberland’s vulnerable children and young people.

Qualifications

• Experience leading fostering, adoption and residential care services.
• Strong leadership and change-management skills.
• Strategic vision for children's services and safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for fostering, adoption, permanence and residential care across Cumberland.
• Lead transformational change to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Act as Responsible Individual for Cumberland Council children’s homes and collaborate with regional and national networks.

Job description

Senior Manager - Fostering Adoption and Resources

Salary: £83,724 to £86,703 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Cumbria House, Carlisle
Contract: Permanent
#INDCSC

About This Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and visionary leader to shape the future of fostering, adoption, permanence and residential care services across Cumberland. As a senior leader within Children's and Family Wellbeing, you will provide strategic direction, drive innovation and lead transformational change to ensure children and young people receive high-quality, safe and sustainable support that delivers the very best outcomes.

Working across a broad and influential portfolio, you will lead the development of fostering, adoption and residential services, strengthen local sufficiency, and help reduce reliance on external placements by creating effective, child-centred solutions closer to home. As Responsible Individual for Cumberland Council children's homes and a key partner across regional and national networks, you will play a pivotal role in shaping services, improving performance and ensuring every decision is driven by the needs of children, young people and families.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact, working alongside committed colleagues and partners to deliver ambitious service improvement, outstanding practice and meaningful change for some of Cumberland's most vulnerable children and young people.

This role is available on a permanent basis.

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 Joe Banham by email at [e-mail]

DBS Checks

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.

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


• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

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 [e-mail]. 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: 16th October 2026


• Interview date:04th November 2026

If you experience any difficulties logging in to apply for this role, please contact the HR Systems team at [e-mail].

Please note this role may close early subject to demand.

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