Transforming Care Senior Keyworker

Posting date:	22 January 2026
Salary:	£44,075 to £47,181 per year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	12 February 2026
Location:	Chichester, Worthing or Horsham, West Sussex, PO19 1RG
Company:	West Sussex County Council
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	CAFHE06140_1769099644

Summary

About Us

Here at West Sussex County Council, we are ambitious for our children and our workforce. We are committed to improving our services for the children and families in West Sussex we support. You will join us as at a key time on our improvement journey.

We don't underestimate the work that still needs to be undertaken and the challenge ahead, we are confident in our approach and excited about the changes occurring. That's why we need professionals, like you, who really want to be part of the positive change that is happening for children. Be part of an ambitious improvement plan and make a significant difference to children and families in West Sussex. There has never been a more rewarding time to join.

This is a specialist service working to support children and young people with a diagnosis of autism and/or learning disabilities and complex mental health needs between the ages of 0-18. These exciting new roles will form part of a national Keyworker Project, developing new ways of working in partnership with NHS England and the Sussex Integrated Care System.

For further information about us and about working in Children's Social Care at West Sussex County Council, please visit Careers in children's social work in West Sussex.

The Opportunity

Salary: £44,075 to £47,181

Working Pattern: Full-time, (37 hours)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Working Countywide based in either Chichester, Worthing or Horsham

You will lead on a specific cohort of children and young people on the dynamic support register (red/amber/green). You will work across the local system, with and for the family and the children and young people, to ensure those with the most complex needs receive appropriate personalised, integrated support.

You will work with existing and new providers to co-ordinate bespoke packages of support, liaise and negotiate with a range of services and review to ensure that the right provisions are in place. Lead on a variety of meetings including Care Education Treatment Reviews or multi-disciplinary meetings for children known to the team.

You will undertake some direct work with families in a variety of ways which could include individual, group, adult and child support work, or family work. Support children and young people with who are at risk of moving to hospital settings or non-local provision to meet education and / or social care needs. Work in partnership with families in providing services to support them in making positive changes to enable children and young people to reach their full potential. Work with colleagues in Health and Social Care to unblock systems and ensure that holistic needs are met.

Experience and Skills

Key Skills:

• Ability to always put the child first to support positive outcomes.
• Ability to communicate effectively, developing relationships with professionals, providers, children, young people and their families in order to unblock barriers and access to services.
• Ability to interpret complex information to identify a family's needs and to think creatively to identify appropriate support.
• Ability to analyse and interpret information quickly, assess need, prioritise and review outcomes.
• Ability to network with others as a means of acquiring, influencing and spreading organisational knowledge to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
• Ability to negotiate and influence to bring about positive change for children, young people and their families.

Qualifications and/or experience:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, or equivalent demonstrable experience.
• A detailed understanding of systems, procedures and policies relevant to Children's Social Care e.g., child protection and safeguarding procedures, practice and policy.
• Experience of managing a small team or supervising staff.
  Demonstrable experience of working with families, children and young people in crisis in order to provide support, especially those with complex difficulties, including interpreting families' needs and assisting families to access appropriate support services.
• Knowledge and experience of continuous developments in the NHS and social care.
• Ability to understand the Children's Continuing Care and Transforming Care criteria and the ability to apply this to everyday practice.
• Ability to update knowledge of various acts and statutory guidance relating to children and young people.
• Knowledge of risk management and clinical governance.
• An understanding of health and education systems.
• A sound knowledge and understanding of special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Sound understanding of Neurodevelopmental Pathways within West Sussex.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of person-centred approaches and the ability to ensure that these are used to empower children, young people and their families.
• Understanding of the complexities of supporting children, young people and their families.

Rewards and Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, you can find this at our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE06140.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, please contact Rebecca Jackson at or Mark Oliver at . For general queries please reach out to our resourcing team at .

To apply, upload your CV and complete the application explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact .

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability, Veteran's or Care Leaver's Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please visit our website.