Salary: £42,123

Location: Penrith (including agile working and working from home)

Contract Type: Permanent

Shape the Future of Cumbria

Cumbria is entering a bold new chapter.

The creation of the Cumbria Combined Authority (CCA) marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock the full potential of one of England’s most distinctive places. With devolution bringing new powers, new investment and a directly elected Mayor from May 2027, the Authority will play a central role in driving inclusive growth, improving public services and championing the needs of communities across Cumbria.

As we establish the organisation, we are seeking a Digital Communications Officer to join us on our journey.

About this opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a new and growing communications team at an interesting point in Cumbria’s story.

Despite the job title, this is much more than a purely digital role. You will help us tell people clearly what the combined authority is, what it is doing and what it means for Cumbria, across a wide range of channels and audiences.

You will create clear and engaging content for our website and social media channels, write press releases and other media content, and support communications around campaigns, events and some of the major programmes and investments being delivered across Cumbria.

You will also work with colleagues across the organisation, helping them think about how best to communicate their work and turning sometimes complex information into content that people can understand and engage with.

Because the combined authority is still developing, there is a real opportunity to help shape how we communicate from the outset. We want someone who will bring ideas, understand our different audiences and use insight and performance data to help us keep improving what we do.

You will be part of a small communications team where you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your work, develop your skills and see the impact of what you produce.

Who we are looking for…

We are looking for someone who is a strong communicator and a good writer, with experience of creating content for different audiences and channels.

You will be able to take complicated information and turn it into clear, accurate and interesting content, whether that is a press release, web page, social post, campaign message or internal update.

You will have experience of communications, PR, marketing or a related area, alongside a good understanding of digital communications, social media and content management systems.

You will understand what makes good social content and how this differs across platforms. You will be comfortable creating and adapting content for social media, including visual content, and using basic insight and analytics to see what is working and help improve future content.

You will think about the audience as well as the message: what people need to know, what might interest them and the best way to reach them.

You will be organised and collaborative, with good attention to detail, and comfortable working with colleagues, partners, stakeholders and the media.

Experience of working in the public sector or a politically sensitive environment would be useful, but we are also looking for someone who is curious, keen to learn and develop, and excited by the opportunity to be part of something new.

Why Join Cumbria Combined Authority?

• Be part of a brand-new organisation with real devolved powers
• Work with passionate partners across public, private and community sectors
• Make a tangible difference to places, people and opportunities across Cumbria
• Leave a lasting legacy by preparing the Authority for long-term success

If you are inspired by the opportunity to build something new, meaningful and impactful, and to help shape the future of Cumbria, we would love to hear from you.

Join us at the start of Cumbria’s journey – and help turn ambition into reality.

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the Role Profile.

If you have any queries or would like an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact [email protected]

Location

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which means an employee works part of their time in the office and part from home. This is a voluntary and non‑contractual arrangement between you and your manager, and your contractual place of work will remain your office location.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for both the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 40% of your working hours in the office. Our main office is at Redhills, near Penrith. We are also able to use offices of our partner authorities across the county to help fulfil this expectation.

Please discuss any caring responsibilities, disabilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet this minimum office attendance requirement with the recruiting manager.

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 20/09/2026

Final interview date: 13/10/2026

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.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Location: Carlisle / Hybrid working

Contract: Fixed Term, 6 months

#INDMR

Job OverviewCumberland Council is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Public Health Officer to coordinate the development of an ambitious psychosocial wellbeing programme.

Psychosocial wellbeing is a key public health priority for Cumberland, reflecting local challenges linked to mental health and suicide, substance misuse, domestic abuse, trauma, neurodiversity, loneliness, social connection and wider health inequalities. The successful candidate will play a central role in bringing together partners from across the Council, NHS, voluntary sector and local communities to develop and coordinate a programme of work that improves wellbeing and builds resilience across our population.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative public health practice and make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents across Cumberland.

What you will do

• Coordinate the development and implementation of Cumberland's psychosocial wellbeing programme.
• Support programme governance, stakeholder engagement and partnership working.
• Gather and analyse evidence, intelligence and best practice to inform programme development.
• Organise workshops, meetings and engagement activities with partners and communities.
• Develop project plans, reports, briefing papers and presentations for senior leaders.
• Support the identification of opportunities for service improvement, prevention and early intervention.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches across the wider system.

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.

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 & AdjustmentsWe’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 [email protected].

While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Claire King by email at [email protected]

Application and Interview information

• Closing date: 27/09/2026
• Interview date: Week commencing 02/10/2026

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

Salary: £33,119 to £33,672 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term contract (until 31/03/2027 in the first instance with a view to extend)

About this opportunity

Are you an experienced practitioner with a passion for supporting neurodivergent children and their families? Can you build positive relationships that empower families to identify needs and develop robust plans? Do you understand the challenges faced by neurodivergent children living with neurodiversity or suspected neurodiversity with unmet needs and their families? Are you ready to join an amazing team of dedicated specialist practitioners who inspire colleagues across services and thrive in creative, collaborative problem-solving?

We are looking to recruit experienced, innovative and adaptable support workers as part of a multi-disciplinary team across Cumberland, forming part of an exciting pilot programme that aims to provide early intervention support to children and young people with unmet needs associated with neurodiversity and emotional wellbeing.

The Neurodiversity and Emotional Wellbeing Service is being developed through a collaborative partnership between Cumberland Council, local NHS organisations, (including Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board) and SEND Alliance Cumbria (SENDAC).

The Service is neuro-affirming and needs based, aiming to support people to recognise and manage a wide range of experiences and thinking styles as part of normal life, with specialist support available as appropriate.

Of the 4 posts, two will have an office base located in Carlisle and two posts will have an office base in West Cumberland with flexible working for both across the seven Cumberland Family Hubs to support children, young people, and families. You’ll help us better understand the challenges families face when children have additional needs and contribute to shaping services that meet those needs effectively.

We are committed to co-production. Children, young people and their families will be at the heart of this service. The successful candidate will champion co-production and work closely with parent/carer forums, young people and community partners to design, develop and evaluate the service together.

To discuss the post, please contact Caroline Pollard on [email protected]

Who we’re looking forWe’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.

DBS ChecksThis role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is – Fully Enhanced DBS Check with a Children and Adults Barred List check.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with both Children and 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 Children and Adults.

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 & AdjustmentsWe’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 Employer 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 [email protected]. 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: 25/09/2026
• Interview date: 01/10/2026

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