At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families by coordinating services and building positive relationships.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a leading charity dedicated to helping children thrive.
- Benefits: Full induction, ongoing support, travel expenses, and learning opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in need.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and families, strong communication skills, and organisational abilities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Barnardo's, we believe every child deserves the help they need to thrive.
We work with children, young people and families to overcome challenges, build resilience and achieve positive outcomes that can be sustained into the future.
The service funded by Families First supports children and young people aged 0‑25 and their families.
You will work closely with a range of agencies and organisations to help families overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
We are looking for an organised, motivated and compassionate Keyworker to join our service in Merthyr Tydfil.
This role centres on building positive relationships with children, young people, families and other professional workers.
You will coordinate support from different services, helping families access the right help at the right time, by bringing services together in a Team around the Family approach.
Our referral route is via the Early Help Hub, and this means that a comprehensive assessment of needs and what matters to the family has already been undertaken.
The Key working service operates Monday to Friday and has bases in Treharris and Calon Las.
Flexibility is essential, as the role involves working in a responsive and family‑centred way to meet the needs of our families.
As a Keyworker, you will develop a good understanding of local services across Merthyr Tydfil.
You will build strong partnerships with agencies including CAMHS, Citizens Advice, community policing teams, counselling services, domestic abuse services, food and clothing banks, Home‑Start, housing providers, Primary Mental Health Services, schools, and universal health services.
Working closely with partner agencies will help ensure families receive coordinated, timely and effective support tailored to their individual needs.
What does the role involve and are you up for a challenge?
- Coordinating support for children, young people and families with multiple needs.
- Working closely with partner agencies to ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
- Developing and maintaining strong relationships with local services and community organisations.
- Supporting families to access education, housing, financial advice, domestic abuse services, health and wellbeing support, food banks and other community resources.
- Completing and contributing to family support plans.
- Helping families identify their strengths, goals and priorities.
- Monitoring progress and adapting support when needed.
- Maintaining accurate case records and reports.
- Identifying safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action.
- Supporting children, young people and parents to build confidence, resilience and independence.
We would love to see the following in your application form
- Experience of working with children, young people and families with multiple and complex needs.
- Knowledge of working within a multi‑agency environment.
- Knowledge or experience of safeguarding processes.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload.
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
- Able to engage and motivate families to achieve positive change.
- Experience of maintaining accurate records and reports.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- An understanding of the impact of poverty on children and families.
- Additional Information
The successful candidate will receive a full induction and ongoing support from a designated line manager and colleagues.
You will also have access to a range of learning and development opportunities through Barnardo's and our partner agencies.
Travel expenses for work purposes will be reimbursed in line with Barnardo's expenses policy, currently 55p per mile.
When applying, please tell us how your experience from employment, education, training, volunteering or personal makes you a suitable candidate for this role.
Barnardo's is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description.
This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.
Although this contract has a permanent status, please be aware that this post is subject to funding currently to 31 March 2029 and therefore should this funding not be extended further, you may be subject to a redundancy consultation or a TUPE arrangement.
Need More Information?
Please contact
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.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Worker 1 (23344)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at BARNARDOS.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from BARNARDOS!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like BARNARDOS, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at BARNARDOS or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Project Worker 1 (23344)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to BARNARDOS:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to BARNARDOS! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
