Keyworking function

The Council for Disabled Children have produced an Addendum to the Keyworking Workforce Competency Framework and Function Guidance.

The Addendum is based on 90 minute interviews with 9 representatives from 5 pilot sites, a review of supporting documents and is informed by case study material from every pilot site. The Addendum presents learning from the pilot sites experience of setting up and delivering their Keyworking Service model, organised into 4 sections:

1. Setting up the Keyworking service
2. Getting up and running
3. Delivering the service
4. Key processes

These sections contain references to a compilation of 50 strategic and operational documents submitted by sites available for download on the NHS Futures Platform for Keyworking Services.

All pilot sites stressed 3 elements that they had to consider when embedding their service within their local system:

1. A service with independence - How will the Keyworking Service build strong, trusted relationships with children, young people and families
2. An Influential Service - How will the Keyworking Service build strong relationships across the professional network working with children- including into adulthood
3. A Service with clear oversight and support - How do system partners provide ongoing oversight of, and support to the Keyworking Service

This Addendum builds on the initial guidance documents designed through extensive consultation and co-production with key stakeholders including parents, young people, Learning Disability and Autism commissioners and service leads.

These guidance documents set out the core competencies required by the Keyworking Service workforce, and the system requirements to deliver them. Keyworkers also have access to mandatory Health Education England eLearning modules to support Keyworking teams across the country to understand the fundamentals that underpin Keyworking and provide a consistent approach.

Our thanks go to all those who gave up their time to input into its development and particular thanks to those that took part in stakeholder engagement workshops.