Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Designated Keyworker Development Officer

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Job summary

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust are pleased to be recruiting to the Keyworker Team, who play an integral role for children, young people and adults with ASD and learning difficulties who are in crisis.

The Keyworker Team provides a multi-agency approach to support children, young people, adults and families/carers. It is a co-ordinated, person-centred and outcome-focused approach to planning and support where children, young people, adults and families/carers require additional and sometimes complex support. The Designated Keyworker is in high demand, with each Keyworker managing a caseload.

Main duties of the job

As an LSCFT team, we work across Lancashire, Blackpool and Fylde Coast, Morecambe Bay, South Cumbria and Blackburn with Darwin.

Applicants should have excellent communication skills and the ability to work well autonomously and as part of a team.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employee through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, home/remote working, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

Date posted

06 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-SPS1563-LW

Job locations

Greenbank Centre

Preston

PR1 7LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Lived experience with children and young people with autism and or learning disability Or Educated to Degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven lived experience
Knowledge and understanding of children and young people with autism and/or learning disability who present with complex needs

Knowledge

Essential

Lived experience and personal knowledge of strategies and interventions relevant to autistic children and young people, adults and / or those with a learning disability
Knowledge of issues affecting families and parenting needs of children
Knowledge of available support services and referral routes

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with autistic children and young people or adults and those with a learning disabilities
Managing own workload with effective liaison with others.
Able to work autonomously and as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Essential

An ability to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of the developing service.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to build relationships and trust with family carers

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Lived experience with children and young people with autism and or learning disability Or Educated to Degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven lived experience
Knowledge and understanding of children and young people with autism and/or learning disability who present with complex needs

Knowledge

Essential

Lived experience and personal knowledge of strategies and interventions relevant to autistic children and young people, adults and / or those with a learning disability
Knowledge of issues affecting families and parenting needs of children
Knowledge of available support services and referral routes

Experience

Essential

Experience of working with autistic children and young people or adults and those with a learning disabilities
Managing own workload with effective liaison with others.
Able to work autonomously and as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Essential

An ability to be flexible and adapt to the changing needs of the developing service.
Good interpersonal skills.
Ability to build relationships and trust with family carers

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Greenbank Centre

Preston

PR1 7LY

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Greenbank Centre

Preston

PR1 7LY

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)