The Key Worker will be responsible for delivering and coordinating personalised, evidence-based intensive interventions for parents and children under a Stronger Families plan. They will provide targeted services and interventions to children and families across statutory children’s services, facilitating step-down processes. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting children subject to Child Protection (CP) or Child in Need (CIN) plans, as well as looked-after children with reunification plans. The primary objective is to help families achieve sustainable, long-term change by building their capacity to address current and future challenges independently, thereby reducing their reliance on statutory services.
Additionally, Stronger Families Key Workers support Section 17 families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) housing needs. They assist these families in applying for Universal Credit, including securing the rent element, and explore alternative housing options when appropriate, such as private rentals or out-of-London relocation schemes. They also provide support to help families integrate into their communities by accessing essential services such as healthcare and education and connecting them with specialised immigration and visa advice.
As a Key Worker, you'll manage a caseload comprising:
- Families experiencing complex and multiple challenges that hinder their ability to provide adequate care for their children. These may include a lack of knowledge around positive behaviour management, routines and boundaries, mental health issues, substance misuse, disengagement from education, and risks of homelessness.
- Families meeting the criteria for Tier 2 and Tier 3 support as outlined in the London Continuum of Need framework.
About You
To be successful in this role, you'll need:
- Experience of paid work directly with parents who have children/ young people with challenging behaviour to achieve satisfactory outcomes.
- Knowledge and understanding of the problems and difficulties faced by families and the ability to help them find constructive solutions.
- A broad knowledge and understanding of Social Care, Education and Health services and how they can support families
- Able to form and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with parents and their children to ensure effective engagement in agreed family interventions
- Able to be persistent, creative and tenacious in engaging with parents and families who are resistant to change
Full details can be found in the job profile and person specification in the attached job description.