Keyworker Services for parents and carers

Discover how our keyworkers can support your child/young person and family to get the care they need, the criteria for the service and how to access keyworker support.

Family of young girl, young boy, male and female laughing reading a book

How a keyworker can support you

A keyworker will work with your child/young person and you as their parent/carer to ensure needs are understood. We will work with you and professionals to look at how these needs can be met as well as specific support and coordination. Your keyworker will ensure your child/young person and you are at the centre of discussions and planning.

You and your child/young person’s wishes, feelings and views are paramount to the work we do.

We strive to understand what’s working for your child/young person and what needs to improve.

Our keyworkers aim to:

Be by your side when times are hard and help your voice to be heard.
Ensure your child/young person is at the centre of their care.
Support your child/young person and you to find solutions to problems.
Help your child/young person understand their care by working alongside them.
Visit your child/young person in a suitable and safe venue, this may include hospital and in the community.
Support children/young people in the hospital, at home or in residential placements.
Talk to workers in education, health, social care and other services to make sure your child/young person is getting the best care they need.
Champion your child/young person in discussions and ensure a person centred approach in all meetings regarding the care they need.

How to refer children/young people

Children/young people with a learning disability and/or who are autistic can only be referred to the Keyworker Service by other professionals. This is done through the Dynamic Support Register (DSR) panel meetings.

A DSR or Dynamic Support Register is a register of people with learning disabilities and/or who are autistic who may need higher input from services and who may be at risk of being admitted to a mental health hospital or at risk of residential placement breakdown. A meeting takes place regularly to discuss those individuals on the DSR to ensure their needs are being met and any actions/recommendations are made, including if a referral to the keyworker service is appropriate.

Where do these meetings take place?

In West Yorkshire, there are DSRs for each of the 5 areas. In each area there is a DSR for under 18’s and a separate one for adults 18+.  The is a mix of learning disability and autism or autism only registers and meetings. They take place weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on area. At this meeting, referrals to the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service will be discussed.  Children, young people or their parent/carer can self refer to the DSR. Please click on the areas below for area specific contact details.

Wakefield Kirklees Calderdale Bradford Leeds

Testimonials

“I nearly turned this down, but I am so glad I didn’t, it was a game changer…. our keyworker was consistent, got things done, improved communication because you feel like you’re forever chasing people. Our keyworker held people accountable for what they agreed.”

“When all the other services dropped away after transition to adult mental health services, our key worker was reassuringly consistent and ensured we were ready before we were stepped down from the service.”

 

Videos & Resources

What makes the Keyworker Service different?
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The impact of the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service
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Connecting with children & young people and parents & carers 
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