An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint 1 full time band 4 Keyworker Assistant to support our established Keyworker Team, based at Dragon Square, Chesterton.
The Learning Disability and Autism Keyworker Team, works with Children and Young People with a Diagnosis of a Learning Disability and/or Autism who are on the Dynamic Support Register due to being at risk of Tier 4 Hospital admission or care package breakdown.
The Keyworker Assistant role is varied and the postholder experience may be as a result of:
Direct experience of caring or living with a child or young person who has either a learning disability, autism or both
Experience of being a Parent or carer for someone with a learning disability, autism or both
Experience of working to support people who present behavioural challenges in the community
Main duties of the job
The NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) includes commitment that children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both with the most complex needs will have a designated keyworker, implementing the recommendation made by Dame Christine Lenehan. Initially, keyworker support will be provided to children and young people who are inpatients or at risk of being admitted to hospital. Keyworker support will also be extended to the most vulnerable children with a learning disability and/or autism, including those who face multiple vulnerabilities such as looked after and adopted children, and children and young people in transition between services. This role will offer the step-down service from the keyworker team, to extend our pathway by offering support to clients moving down to amber and/or those flagging as green on the Dynamic Support Register (0-25 age range)
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare are hosting half of the Keyworker Team working in partnership with MPFT and liaising across all relevant agencies to support the client and their families/cares (as required).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of a NVQ Level 3 / BTEC National, Certificate/Diploma, Vocational A-LEVELS/ An ONC (Ordinary National Certificate) / OND (Ordinary National Diploma) qualification in one of the below: – o childcare, o social work, o youth work, o counselling or o education
Desirable
- A relevant apprenticeship, such as the Early Intervention Practitioner or Children, Young People and Families Practitioner apprenticeships
Experience
Essential
- Good understanding of the pilot and of the needs of LD/A children, and young people, including their parents/carers
- Experience in responding effectively in emails, letters and documents, to parents, professionals and the operation of Lorenzo which is the trust database.
- Experience in Learning Disabilities and Autism, with evidence of training.
- Experience (paid or voluntary) of working with families and children in either a health, social, education or voluntary role.
Desirable
- Experience of working/caring for CYP with a LD or AS diagnosis.
- Experience of dealing with Parents in person on the phone.
- Experience of facilitating multi-disciplinary
Knowledge
Essential
- Good organisational and planning skills Empathy in good communication and written form.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work. Excellent IT skills essential including MS office and zoom/Teams/Skype.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload to achieve agreed deadlines with a minimum of supervision.
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of issues concerning CYP with learning disabilities and autism.
- Knowledge of social media platforms.
- A level of training in nonverbal communication or willingness to participate in the training. For example, PECS, Makaton, tac pac.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 29 September 2026
