At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young adults with autism and learning disabilities in a flexible, impactful role.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a leading charity dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while advocating for their needs.
- Qualifications: Experience with autism and learning disabilities is essential; passion for advocacy is a must.
Are you passionate about supporting children, young people and adults who are autistic and/or have a learning disability? We are seeking to recruit a highly skilled Key Worker for our Key Worker Service in East Berkshire. The role is diverse and service user centred. It would suit someone with significant experience in supporting young people and young adults with autism and Learning Disabilities and their families.
The day-to-day work will involve a flexible approach to coordination and direct support for the young person and their family, as well as providing responsive communication at times of increased need. This is an exciting role which allows for the Key Worker to support families to navigate the system whilst advocating for them and ensuring that their voice is heard. There will be opportunities for collaboration and co-production - our vision is to provide young person and family centred support, whilst influencing system change to achieve better outcomes for more children, young people and adults under the age of 25.
The service will be provided across the entire East Berkshire footprint covering Slough, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Bracknell Forest. Although the team is “virtual”, there will be frequent (weekly) travel within and across the East Berkshire area, therefore being a car driver with access to a car is essential, as well as being based near the local area.
The Key Working Function has been developed as a response to the NHS England & NHS Improvement Long Term Plan (LTP) 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 Key Worker, applying the recommendations made by Dame Christine Lenehan in ‘These are our Children'. The East Berkshire Key Worker Service has been established since 2023 and continues to develop and evolve.
We are looking for someone who:
- has significant experience of working with individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or who are Autistic as well as their families.
- has an understanding of mental health and how this may impact this service user group.
- is tenacious and passionate about advocating for our families, whilst respectfully challenging professionals and working collaboratively with other agencies.
- is able to complete frequent visits to service users and have the ability to be flexible to complete visits/meetings at short notice within working hours across the East Berkshire area.
A Barnardo's Project Worker 3 job description and person specification is attached to the advert for this role. This is a generic role description in use throughout the organisation to cover all roles at the given salary band. The Additional Information Sheet outlines the specific responsibilities, skills and experience required and it is important that you read this carefully before you apply.
Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Where a role is advertised as fixed term, we are happy to consider secondment opportunities. Please discuss this with your line manager and the hiring manager for the role.
Pay & Reward Framework: We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023.
This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.
Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.
Benefits Workplace Offer: Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these.
Barnardo's require colleagues to be UK residents, based in the UK and to complete their roles from within the UK (with the exception of colleagues providing Barnardo's services in Jersey and colleagues who live in the Republic of Ireland providing services in Northern Ireland).
Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata.
The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme.
A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options.
Service related sick pay from day 1.
Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's.
Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution.
Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension.
Cycle2work scheme.
Interest free season ticket loans.
Discounts and cashback from high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal.
20% discount at Barnardo's stores.
Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.
Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support.
Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer.
About Barnardo's: We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do.
We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
Key Worker employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting children, young people, and adults with autism and learning disabilities. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer flexible working arrangements, a comprehensive benefits package, and a culture that values diversity and inclusion. Our East Berkshire Key Worker Service provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a supportive work environment that prioritises your well-being and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Barnardo's values and mission. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. This can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which can boost your chances of landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to supporting individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Use real-life examples from your experience to demonstrate your skills and passion.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people. Don’t wait around; the sooner you apply, the better your chances of standing out in a competitive field.
We think you need these skills to ace Key Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for in a Key Worker. Make sure you understand the role and how your experience fits in!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your skills and experiences relate specifically to supporting young people with autism and learning disabilities. Highlight relevant examples that show us you’re the right fit.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate honesty and clarity, so let your passion shine through without overcomplicating things!
Apply Early!:We can’t stress this enough – apply as soon as you can! With a high volume of applications, roles can close early. Head over to our website and get your application in before it’s too late!
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Key Worker and the specific needs of children and young adults with autism and learning disabilities. Familiarise yourself with relevant policies and frameworks, like the NHS Long Term Plan, so you can speak confidently about how your experience aligns with the job.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about advocacy and support, so let your passion shine through during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to helping families navigate challenges. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in making a difference in their lives.
✨Be Ready for Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and flexibility. Prepare examples from your past work where you successfully supported individuals or families in crisis. This will show that you can think on your feet and adapt to changing situations.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask the interviewer. Inquire about the team dynamics, collaboration opportunities, or how they measure success in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
