The Islington and Camden Keyworker Service is a member of the Transforming Care LD and ASD Support Service across North Central London (NCL). The Keyworker Service provides coordination and direct support to children with learning disabilities and/or autism, who also have mental health needs and/or behaviours that challenge. This project uses intensive, direct interventions with the aim of supporting children and young people with neurodiversity to remain living at home, in the community; preventing avoidable admissions to inpatient mental health services and/or 52-week residential placements; and to reduce the length of inpatient admissions, supporting early discharges.
Main duties of the job
This role will provide high quality support to the children and young people and their families/carers (predominantly in their homes), working as part of a team to help unblock the system, provide a bridge across different parts of the system including health, education and social care, and be a key point of contact for families/carers. You will hold a small caseload of children, young people and their families; you will work both independently and in partnership with professionals across the network; providing direct, intensive, clinical support for families/carers. The role will work across various settings, including in homes, schools and in the local community.
17. To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.
Person Specification
Education and Experience
Essential
- Minimum Band 5 level (or equivalent) professionally registered practitioner, such as Learning Disability Nurse (RNLD), Mental Health Nurse (RMN), Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), Mental Health Social Worker (SW), Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech & Language Therapist (SLT). OR Experienced senior assistant psychologists, therapeutic/community workers or SEN staff, with a professional qualification in health, social care or education to level NVQ / HNC level 3 (or equivalent) or the ability to complete a relevant qualification evidenced by educational history and professional development.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of direct work with children and young people, or adults, in the context of learning disabilities and/or autism who are in crisis, with associated health, education and care needs.
Skills and Ability
Essential
- The ability to work flexibly and responsively to provide support when children, young people, families/carers need it most,. The ability to provide structured support, deliver positive activities and ensure the achievement of agreed individual outcomes.
- Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and concisely both verbally and in writing.
Desirable
- Ability to form and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with children, young people and families, carers, colleagues and the multi professional network. Ability to work therapeutically within and contribute to multi-agency risk assessments for children and young people with complex needs.
- Ability to support positive, planned risk-taking that promotes developmental growth and children and young people’s rights to community access.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of child development, autism, learning disabilities, attachment and trauma, and of personalised and coproduced care planning.
Desirable
- Some knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, government policy and research in relation to children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism and an ability to apply that knowledge in an operational setting.
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: 22 February 2026
