Job responsibilities
The role of the Keyworker is to establish strong relationships with children, young people, parents and
carers to enable a thorough understanding of barriers to them achieving positive outcomes and, using
appropriate intervention techniques and direct work, develop their resilience, strengthen family
relationships and prevent the need for more intensive or specialist services.
The role of the Keyworker is also to engage with children, young people and families using a holistic
approach to include them in assessment, planning, goal setting and decision making. In addition, the
role includes working with partner organisations and coordinating and driving a joint family-based
approach.
Specific duties and responsibilities include:
Be knowledgeable and skilled in identifying the early signs of abuse and neglect and following
agreed local protocols for ensuring children and young people are protected from harm/risk of
harm (e.g. report a child at risk of significant neglect to social care).
Be the keyworker for a caseload of families with varying needs; manage time effectively and
maximise time spent on direct work delivering individual support and group interventions
(including evidence-based parenting programmes) as part of a family action plan. These cases
may be from complex CAF-level up to child protection level and the keyworker will have the
knowledge and skills to engage with the child/family at these levels of need (supported by a
Senior Keyworker - or Social Worker for Child in Need and Child Protection cases).
Preparing a comprehensive, analytical and good quality child and family assessment - drawing
on recent or existing referrals, assessments and other relevant information sources (including
other professionals/support network); completing the assessment in the home and ensuring it
clearly reflects the voice of the child and the family.
Acting as a single point of contact for the child and their family
Using a relationship-based model of practice, help the child and family to define the goals and
desired outcomes they want to achieve and help them set the priority order for delivering them.
Using a family focused approach, work with the child and family to draft the familys action
plan.
Coordinating the familys action plan, tracking and ensuring all contributors are effectively
delivering on time.
Leading and facilitating Team Around the Child/Family meetings; capturing agreed actions and
ensuring the lead for each action is doing what they had committed to do (and on time).
Capturing and recording relevant actions, events and decisions in accordance with case
management principles.
Attend and actively participate in Local Allocation Groups as required; following
agreement/decision from a senior keyworker or assistant team manager, be able to present
clearly and concisely cases requiring multi-agency input and resource decision making.
Working in partnership with parents to encourage independence and self-reliance and helping
them to develop a consistent and positive approach to parenting, addressing behaviours and
overcoming challenges.
Promoting and facilitating parental understanding of a child and young persons needs.
Supporting parents to provide an appropriate environment in which children and young people
feel safe and which encourages the development of their self-esteem and resilience.
Understanding adult difficulties and the impact they have on children, tailoring support and
delivering effective joint working accordingly.
Supporting children and families to become involved in their local community and to access
wider opportunities in education, play, work, leisure and volunteering.
Working directly with children providing appropriate and tailored support to address a range of
CA09-1159 Family Keyworker April 2024 Page 5 of 9
developmental needs including disruptive and challenging behaviour.
Identifying when a child is a young carer and undertaking a young carers assessment
following agreed protocol.
Working within a legislative framework.
Operating within relevant policy, legal, ethical and professional boundaries when working with
children and families.
Effectively delivering all statutory requirements.
Following local practice standards and protocols.
Supervision and continual development.
Actively engaging in individual and group supervision and embed learning in practice.
Maintaining up to date knowledge and skills as required by the role.
Participating in appraisal and team meetings and contribute to individual and team
development.
Specific requirements for this post:
Flexible Working
There will be a requirement to occasionally work with children and families when they most need it
which may be outside of normal working hours, including weekends. The number of out of hours
worked will not exceed 10% of the total contracted hours per week.
