Community Link Worker – Keyworking Programme inReading inReading PUBLISHED 23 DEC 2023

Band 5: £29,828 to £36,311 a year per annum ( Incl of HCAS)+ 5.5% 2024/25 Pay Award  PERMANENT 

The must haves for this role:

  1. Professional qualification equivalent to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of experience of children and young people with learning disabilities, autism or gained both through lived experience, education, youth work, health or social care. Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
  2. Experience of supporting young people, their families and carers in a related role (can be unpaid work) including lived experience.
  3. Experience of supporting young people with additional needs / mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedont hesitate to call: Emma Mapes on , Email: wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.


Interview will be held on 1st November 2024

The Keyworking Programme is an exciting initiative that will transform the support mechanisms for individuals aged 0-25 with a learning disability, autism or both at risk of psychiatric inpatient admission.

The service works alongside CAMHS/CMHT's and developed as a community multi-disciplinary model which offers easy accessibility for identified families and carers. The service model was developed in close consultation with families, carers and young people and they are at the heart of its implementation and development.

A Community Link Worker will work with individuals with the most complex needs and their families to make sure they have the support they need at the right time, in a co-ordinated way. The Keyworking Programme should help families experience a reduction in stress and uncertainty and an increase in stability. They will work in the most challenging circumstances with individuals with complex needs and where there is the highest level of risk.

The post holder will be a dynamic, innovative professional who will support individuals and families under acute stress to make positive lifestyle changes.

  • Accelerate discharge from a mental health unit/hospital.

  • Reduce likelihood of relapse and readmission to a mental health unit/hospital.

  • Increase access to community services, employment, education, and training opportunities and support the individual to make positive lifestyle changes.

  • Ensure introductions to community services are facilitated/supported to increase likelihood of engagement.

  • Increase awareness of and strengthen the individuals personal support networks, reducing reliance on professional support networks.

  • Increase the individuals confidence using strategies to identify and manage mental health and well-being challenges as they arise or be confident to seek support at the earliest opportunity.

The must haves for this role:

  1. Professional qualification equivalent to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent level of experience of children and young people with learning disabilities, autism or gained both through lived experience, education, youth work, health or social care. Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
  2. Experience of supporting young people, their families and carers in a related role (can be unpaid work) including lived experience.
  3. Experience of supporting young people with additional needs / mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedont hesitate to call: Emma Mapes on , Email: wholl be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.


Interview will be held on 1st November 2024

The Keyworking Programme is an exciting initiative that will transform the support mechanisms for individuals aged 0-25 with a learning disability, autism or both at risk of psychiatric inpatient admission.

The service works alongside CAMHS/CMHT's and developed as a community multi-disciplinary model which offers easy accessibility for identified families and carers. The service model was developed in close consultation with families, carers and young people and they are at the heart of its implementation and development.

A Community Link Worker will work with individuals with the most complex needs and their families to make sure they have the support they need at the right time, in a co-ordinated way. The Keyworking Programme should help families experience a reduction in stress and uncertainty and an increase in stability. They will work in the most challenging circumstances with individuals with complex needs and where there is the highest level of risk.

The post holder will be a dynamic, innovative professional who will support individuals and families under acute stress to make positive lifestyle changes.

  • Accelerate discharge from a mental health unit/hospital.

  • Reduce likelihood of relapse and readmission to a mental health unit/hospital.

  • Increase access to community services, employment, education, and training opportunities and support the individual to make positive lifestyle changes.

  • Ensure introductions to community services are facilitated/supported to increase likelihood of engagement.

  • Increase awareness of and strengthen the individuals personal support networks, reducing reliance on professional support networks.

  • Increase the individuals confidence using strategies to identify and manage mental health and well-being challenges as they arise or be confident to seek support at the earliest opportunity.



Locations are approximate. Learn more