Specialist Keyworker
Our commitments to you
We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through research and experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes.We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to work towards ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Applications are warmly welcomed from applicants who wish to apply for a position on the basis of a smarter or flexible working arrangement. Where candidates are successful at interview, such requests will be taken under consideration and we will aim to accommodate these wherever the needs of the service allow.
BSW ICB seeks to be a supportive, caring employer and expects all colleagues to behave in a professional and respectful manner and to demonstrate our values. These values underpin our vision for the people of Bath & North East Somerset (Banes), Swindon & Wiltshire, that through an integrated care model local people will live well in a supportive community with joined up care which is underpinned by specialist expertise, and delivered in the best place, by the most appropriate people.
Please note that on 1^st July 2022, Banes, Swindon & Wiltshire CCG will cease to exist. At this time the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in BSW will be established, to be known formally as NHS BSW ICB. NHS BSW ICB assume all the commissioning functions from BSW NHS Commissioners.
Job overview
The Keyworker Function has been developed to meet the commitment that by 2023/24, children and young people with a learning disability, autism, or both, with the most complex needs will have a designated Keyworker. BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care System (BSW ICS) has secured funding to develop a Keyworker service across BSW.
The Keyworker service[i] is for children and young people who are:
- Aged 0-25
- Living within BSW
- Autistic, or awaiting a diagnosis of autism, have a learning disability or both,
- Rated red or amber as being at risk of hospital admission on the Dynamic Support Register (DSR),
- An inpatient in mental health hospital
Main duties of the job
This post holder will:
- Split time between Specialists Keyworker responsibilities (75%) and Keyworker caseload (25%).
This post holder will:
- Manage a caseload of children and young people (CYP) who have been identified as requiring a keyworker. The caseload will allow sufficient time for the personalised support required within cases.
- Facilitate the provision of emotional and behavioural support and informed advice to CYP and their families/carers based on knowledge and experience of working with CYP, families and carers with complex needs.
- Create and encourage a culture which prioritises keeping CYP within the home and their local community by communicating with a range of teams, services, and staff from a range of statutory and non-statutory organisations.
- Build and maintain positive, trusting, and appropriate relationships with CYP and their families/carers.
- Work in partnership with organisations within the integrated care system (ICS) and in particular with Education, Social Care and Healthcare.
Working for our organisation
Please note this organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence, we regret to inform you that we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require sponsorship.
If you are offered employment with us, you will have the opportunity to join a friendly, quality focused and dynamic team that is supportive and cares about your working experience and your wellbeing.
BSW ICB have adopted agile working so this means the successful applicant will predominately be working from home but may be requested to work in any one of the ICB’s office bases across BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire. You will also have a contractual base within the BSW ICB office where your team is based.
Benefits BSW ICB offer include:
- NHS Pension Scheme
- Generous NHS annual leave entitlements commencing at 27 days per year rising to 33 days per year, pro rata, plus bank holidays
- Flexible working
- Modern IT equipment and an in-house IT help facility
- Colleague wellbeing support through a Staff Support Service and a wealth of wellbeing guidance and offers
- Colleague engagement forums and events
- Financial wellbeing guidance and benefits (including NHS staff offers, health service discounts, cycle scheme, car lease scheme, money helper service)
- Opportunities for learning through training and continuous development
- Opportunity to buy additional annual leave
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
In the supporting evidence of your application form, you must demonstrate your experiences by giving specific examples for the criteria within the person specification.
Please see full job description and person specification for more details.
Person specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential criteria- A proven understanding of the needs and characteristics of children and young people with a diagnosis of Autism and or complex communication difficulties. Strong, holistic understanding of the education, health and care system to fulfil keyworking function of holding services to account. Experience of working with children and/or young people with learning disability, autism or both and complex needs and their families. A proven understanding of the difficulties likely to face children and young people with Autism and or complex communication difficulties. A proven understanding of strategies and resources that will support children and young people with Autism and or complex communication difficulties. A proven understanding of the role adults play in supporting children and young people with Autism and or complex communication difficulties An understanding of equal opportunity issues and an awareness of what this involves, e.g. being able to communicate with people from minority groups, people with disabilities. Strong understanding of Children’s mental health and human rights. An understanding of the challenges experienced by Parents of Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Autism. Legislative knowledge and awareness of locally available provision, as well as how to apply in practice. An understanding of safeguarding procedures.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria- Empathy/Understanding – Believes in an approach that requires an understanding of needs from the perspective of the child, young person and family.
- Respects the opinions and beliefs of the child, young person and their family and works to ensure they are represented, with a commitment to the principles of child-centred, personalised care.
- Has positive, solution focused approach to ensuring the best outcomes for the child, young person and their family.
- Commitment to ensuring the rights of young people with learning disability and/or autism are protected and enforced and that their views and preferences, and those of their families, are listened to.
Always learning
- Commitment to personal learning and helping the system learn and improve.
- To listen and respond to the needs to the child, young person and their family with understanding and compassion.
- Commitment to joined-up, collaborative working.
- Committed to fully concentrate, understand, respond and then remember what is being said by children or young people and their families.
Skilled in developing and maintaining good relationships with children, young people and adults.
To communicate clearly verbally and writing and keep accurate and timely records, ability to influence, persuade and negotiate.To have good organisational skills.
To be able to plan for the needs of individuals with autism and or complex communication difficulties.
To be confident to work independently to model strategies and give advice to support children and young people with Autism and or complex communication difficulties.
To be able to manage time effectively.
To be able to act independently, work under own initiative and accept authority and supervision when appropriate.
To be confident in delivering training packages To be able to deal with situations calmly and efficiently.
To be able to keep accurate records.
To be able to work under pressure.
To be computer and data base management proficient To work as a member of a team To be confident to lead meetings with parents and other professionals
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working with children/young people with Autism and/or learning disabilities and complex communication and behavioural issues. Experience of liaising with multi-disciplinary professionals and working across agencies. Experience of delivering training. Experience of working with families. Experience of achieving change and unblocking the system. Experience of service development and change management. Experience of supervising others. Experience of advising and supporting professionals working together within a service. Experience in developing members of staff’s skills and abilities. Understanding of children and young people’s mental health and human rights.
Education
Essential criteria- Relevant Professional qualification, e.g., social worker, nurse, occupational therapist, speech & language therapist, Teacher, JNC Youth Work. Evidence of post graduate training specific to Autism, Learning Disabilities with children/ young people and/or adults. Meet Core Competencies: Placing child, young person and family at the centre | Enabling direct support | Effective communication | Challenging and influencing | Knowledge a) law and rights b) understanding the system | Problem-solving a) individual/family level b) systems level | Building strong relationships | Coordinating | Personalisation.
Declarations of interest must be made in the supporting information section of any application. If an applicant does not have an interest to declare they should clearly state ‘No interests to declare’ within the supporting information section.
Please note that failure to provide information about an interest or a ‘No interests to declare’ statement at this stage of the application process will result in your application not being considered.