The Think Family Keyworker Service delivers intensive support to those termed as ‘Troubled Families’ as part of the Early Help family support offer. This is achieved by working closely and intensively with whole families in order that there is single family plan with agreed outcomes that the family and professionals are working towards. The purpose of this is to address issues facing the whole family, improve outcomes for children and reduce dependence on high cost, specialist support services.

Many of these families have been involved with numerous agencies over a period of time, so the role holder needs to understand what the different agencies do, why they are involved and the best way to work with them to achieve the best outcomes for children. The role holder will require strong leadership skills and the ability to develop and build capacity in keyworkers in order that they are able to work effectively with families with multiple complex issues and hold the anxiety of keyworkers working with families who are on the cusp of or stepping down from social care intervention.

Currently the keyworker service is delivered through several partners and this role would involve supervising an area team made up of staff from WSCC, Districts and Boroughs and schools. The role holder will be responsible for ensuring that the team are working to specific guidelines and will be accountable for quality assuring service delivery.

Keyworkers work with a small caseload of families, using a holistic approach. These families will have complex needs and may initially be resistant to engage, so you will need to be empathetic, committed and creative. You will also need to be willing and able to work flexibly around the families’ individual needs, which will probably mean working early, late, weekends and Bank Holidays.

You will have at least 3-4 years previous experience of working with challenging families. You will need to have supervisory experience. You don’t need vast amounts of academic qualifications but you do need to be able to understand people, their needs and their desires in the broadest sense, and be able to inspire positive change.