Learning Disabilities and Autism Child and Family Key Worker

**The closing date is 19th Oct 2025**

**Job summary**:
The Link LD/A team are looking for a Child and Family Support Worker to join their friendly team.

You'll be providing practical support, advice and guidance to families who are finding it challenging to navigate the systems available to them. This will be under the guidance of qualified members of the team and a wider multi disciplinary team.

The Link LD/A Team (Keyworker Programme elsewhere in the county), aims to reduce admissions to hospital, promote a reduction in 52 week education placements and an increase in people being supported in their own community. we support young people who have learning disabilities and/or autism and their families.

**Main duties, tasks & skills required**:

- Act as a keyworker for children and young people with complex needs.
- Build strong relationships with families, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
- Support care planning and delivery in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Provide emotional and practical support to families, including signposting to services.
- Facilitate referrals and contribute to risk assessments and safeguarding processes.
- Attend and contribute to MDT meetings, care reviews, and case conferences.
- Maintain accurate records and manage own diary using electronic systems.
- Travel across Somerset to meet families and attend appointments.
- Participate in supervision, training, and service development activities.

**About us**:
At **Somerset NHS Foundation Trust**, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

- ** Flexible working options** to help you balance work and life
- ** NHS pension scheme** for long-term financial security
- ** Generous annual leave allowance** to recharge and relax
- A strong focus on **career development** to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our **Blue Light Card**, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

**Why Somerset?** Somerset offers the perfect blend of **idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty**, and **breathtaking coastlines**, with vibrant cities like **Bristol**, **Bath**, and **Exeter**just a short drive away - and only two hours to **London**.

The region is home to excellent **educational facilities**, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

**Somerset truly has it all** - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

**Job description**:
As a Child and Family Support Worker, you will:

- Communicate effectively with children, young people, families, and professionals across health, education, and social care.
- Use counselling, advocacy, and listening skills to support families in distress or facing complex challenges.
- Demonstrate empathy, respect, and a solution-focused approach in all interactions.
- Contribute to assessments and care plans, delivering specific interventions under the guidance of a Care Coordinator.
- Support families with practical issues such as benefits, housing, respite care, and education.
- Work independently and flexibly, managing your own workload and responding to changing needs.
- Use IT systems for record keeping, reporting, and communication.
- Drive across the county to conduct home visits and attend meetings.
- Handle emotionally challenging situations with professionalism and compassion.
- Promote safeguarding and child protection in line with Trust policies.

**Person specification**:
**Qualifications**:
**Essential**:
GCSE English and Maths Grade C or above, or equivalent

Commitment to Continuing Professional Development

**Desirable**:
Minimum requirement: NVQ3, HNC/HND equivalent

Care related qualifications, i.e. NVQ, Social Work or Social Care, Nursing, Occupational Therapy

Evidence of recent relevant training

**Experience**:
**Essential**:
Previous experience of working with young people who have learning disabilities or autism.

Previous experience of working with young people who display behaviour that challenges.

**Desirable**:
Previous experience in mental health or social care setting

Experience of undertaking assessments

**Additional Criteria**:
**Essential**:
Access to own private transport and have use of a car whilst at work

**Disclosure and Barring Service Check**:
Laura Kaye

**Pay scheme**:
Agenda for Change

**Band**:
Band 4

**Salary**:

- £27485.00 to £30162.00 Yearly
**Contract**:
Permanent

**Working pattern**:
Full-Time

**Reference number**:
184-OL-GR-3102

**Job locations**:
Foundation House
Wellsprings Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7PQ
- Summerlands
56 Preston Road
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2BN