CYP Keyworker Statutory Lead: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

Are you passionate about improving support for children and young people with complex needs? This is an opportunity to provide strategic leadership for the Children and Young People’s (CYP) Keyworker Service, bringing partners together to strengthen coordinated, person-centered support across West Yorkshire.

Established in response to the NHS Long Term Plan, the service provides dedicated support for autistic children and young people, and those with a learning disability, who have the most complex needs and are at risk of mental health admission, family breakdown or placement instability. Delivered by Barnardo’s across West Yorkshire, it offers non-clinical support to children and young people up to the age of 25 who are on the Dynamic Support Register (DSR), alongside their families and carers.

The service helps families navigate health, education, social care and voluntary sector systems, access the right support at the right time, and reduce the risk of avoidable crises and admissions. Central to its approach is ensuring that children, young people and families have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Closing Date: 29th November 2026Shortlisting Date: 7th December 2026Interview Date: 14th December 2026

Main duties of the job

Hosted by Bradford District Care Trust, working in the West Yorkshire Mental Health, Learning Dsiability and Austism collaborativeyou will work strategically with NHS organisations, local authorities, education providers, Barnardo’s and voluntary sector partners to embed the Keyworker model within local pathways and align delivery with national policy and best practice. Working across organisational boundaries, you will champion partnership working, challenge barriers to access and lead service development, quality improvement and system transformation.

You will provide leadership and oversight of delivery against the NHS England Keyworker Standards, agreed outcomes and the effective use of resources within the contractual and financial framework. By supporting partners to work collectively, you will help create a more integrated and responsive approach, keeping children, young people and families at the centre of planning and decision-making.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent specialist knowledge acquired through a combination of relevant education, specialist training and substantial experience.
• Current registration with a relevant professional body – nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychological therapy, etc.

Desirable

• Project Management.

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of working in complex systems and across organisational boundaries, working with collaborative decision-making groups or environments.
• Experience of developing evidence-based service or pathway improvements and securing agreement through system-based governance routes.
• Experience of working within clinical services at a senior level within a local authority and/or the NHS.
• Experience of working closely with service users and families, being their voice and advocate.

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of CYP Keywork service models, the NHS England Keyworker Standards and the role of Dynamic Support registers in coordinated pathways.
• Relevant health, education, social care and voluntary sector interfaces, including how organisational responsibilities affect access and continuity of support.

Closing Date: 29 November 2026