Cumberland Council
Business Support to Adoption Panel - CMB2622e
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Salary: £32,061 to £32,597 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Carlisle
Contract: Fixed-Term (14 months)
About This Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Adoption Service as a Business Support Administrator, providing essential support to Adoption Panels and playing a key role in ensuring that important decisions affecting children and families are delivered efficiently, accurately, and in line with legal requirements.
Working closely with Panel Advisers, Managers, the Agency Decision Maker, and a range of partner agencies, you will help coordinate and support the smooth running of Adoption Panels from start to finish. Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing and maintaining records
- Managing reports and databases
- Tracking actions and deadlines
- Recording high-quality panel minutes of meetings
- Ensuring decisions are communicated accurately and promptly to all relevant parties
This is a fast-paced and varied role that requires excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities. You will also:
- Support the administration of adoption matching processes
- Maintain accurate information on case management systems
- Contribute to regulatory and performance reporting for senior leaders and Ofsted
- Play an important role in the recruitment and onboarding of Independent Panel Members, ensuring all necessary checks and processes are completed to the highest standard
If you are a proactive administrator who thrives in a busy environment, enjoys working with complex processes, and wants to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of children and families, this is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a dedicated and supportive team.
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This role is available on a fixed-term 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 Carole Lomas by email at carole.lomas@cumbria.gov.uk
DBS Checks
This role requires a DBS check.
The level of check for this role is - Standard.
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).
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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: 17/08/2026
- Interview date: TBC
If you experience any difficulties logging in to apply for this role, please contact the HR Systems team at HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.
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
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