Work for a local council and make a difference campaign

People are being encouraged to ‘Make a Difference’ in their communities by embarking on a rewarding career with their local council.

A new campaign, ‘Make a Difference, Work for your Local Council’, aims to inspire individuals to explore career opportunities that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of local residents. 

Local councils provide essential services that residents rely on every day, including housing benefits, planning, social care for adults and children, planning, environmental health and finance.

Following a successful pilot in the north east of England, the campaign highlights the wide range of roles available in council services, welcoming people from all backgrounds and skill levels who are looking to begin a new role in local government.  

Produced in collaboration between the Local Government Association (LGA), Solace, Regional Employers Organisations, and councils across the country as part of the LGA’s Sector Support Offer, and funded by the UK Government, the campaign showcases the variety of meaningful and fulfilling opportunities in local government. 

With over nine in 10 councils experiencing recruitment and retention challenges amid growing demand for services, this initiative comes at a crucial time. It aims to address workforce shortages by attracting new talent into councils, ensuring they can continue to provide the vital services on which communities depend. 

Wealden District Council’s Councillor Greg Collins, Alliance for Wealden (Green) and the authority’s lead councillor for HR, said, “As a young person I worked for a county council for five years so I know, first-hand, that working within a local council is a fulfilling and rewarding job. Demanding too!

“At Wealden District Council we support and encourage our employees to aim high and be ambitious with their careers whilst offering them unique opportunities to make a difference for others, in local communities and further afield.  Wealden council is committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace where every individual’s contributions are valued, and equality of opportunity is maintained. We have people that joined at apprentice level and worked their way up to managers, heads of service and even director level.  Working for the council does make a difference.”

Councillor Abi Brown, chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said, “Hundreds of essential services are provided every day by councils and combined authorities to keep our communities running and is great way to grow a career.

“From caring for families and protecting children from harm, to ensuring your favourite takeaway or restaurant is safe and keeping our streets clean, there are a wide variety of challenging but equally rewarding roles on offer.

“Working in local government offers unparalleled opportunities to make a real difference in people's lives and there has never been more important or valued time to join.”

Anyone interested in discovering how they can contribute to the future of their community by working for their local council can visit the dedicated campaign website at https://www.localcounciljobs.gov.uk/  

The campaign website includes a postcode search to help job seekers find their ideal role. With hundreds of jobs in varying roles across the country, there are roles to suit all levels of experience, skills, and ambitions.  

Councils and partners can also show their support by using the free digital resources available on the website to help promote the campaign.