Project Worker 3 / Senior Practitioner - Children's Services
| Posting date: | 20 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £32,142 to £39,106 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 22 March 2026 |
| Location: | Leeds, West Yorkshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Barnardo's |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 22529 |
Summary
Join Barnardo's West Yorkshire Keyworker Service as our Learning Disability and Autism Education Lead
We are recruiting a Learning Disability and Autism Education Lead who:
is passionate about and have experience of improving the lives of children, young people, young adults up to the age of 25 who are autistic and/or have a learning disability and their families
can operationally lead the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service in its education priorities influencing internally and externally across systems
has experience of being transformational in education - leading on safe practice and service development, ensuring service effectiveness.
Has experience in data capture; with the ability to present data in management reports and progress reports to commissioners at Place and across West Yorkshire.
The Learning Disability and Autism Education Lead reports to the Children's Services Manager, working closely with our Statutory Health Lead whose role informs strategic priorities, impact and outcomes. You will not hold a caseload – this is a transformative systems-based role, supporting educational system change.
This is an exciting opportunity that has arisen in the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service. It's a unique opportunity to combine educational expertise; leading on transformational impact across educational systems at Place and across West Yorkshire, in a fast paced, innovative environment that puts children, young people, young adults up to the age of 25 who are autistic and/or have a learning disability and their families at the heart of everything we do.
You will work alongside a strong management team to provide educational leadership, operational oversight and data management to inform keyworking vision, priorities and development in West Yorkshire.
Function of the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service
The West Yorkshire Keyworker Service works across the West Yorkshire region and its systems with and for children, young people and young adults and families, capitalising on cross-system knowledge and experience to help them effectively navigate services. The service is mandated to work across sectors to facilitate timely and integrated care and support. We work in partnership with the 4 West Yorkshire Health Trusts, 5 local authorities, the voluntary sector and a range of health, social care, educational organisations.
The overall aims and objectives for the service is families get the support they need to navigate complex systems, supported by someone they have built a trusting relationship with. We want the support needs to be focused on the prevention of hospital admission or family/placement breakdown, supporting mental health and re-engagement in community activities.
We work closely with multiagency professionals in supporting the navigation of the system and securing wraparound support and care for children, young people and young adults with a learning disability and or are autistic. There are times where challenge is needed but working together and collaboratively is important.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a progressive, integrated Keyworker Service with rich learning opportunities.
Support a creative, evolving team with scope to shape service delivery.
Work in a supportive, values-driven organisation that prioritises staff wellbeing and development.
As Learning Disability and Autism Education Lead you will:
Lead and inspire SEND Transformation Groups and Boards across West Yorkshire to foster educational accountability and continuous improvements for children, young people, young adults up to the age of 25 who are autistic and/or have a learning disability.
Work with the Programme Manager, Children's Services Manager and Statutory Health Lead to represent the service in SEND strategic forums and with commissioners.
Lead SEND quality assurance – working at pace, dealing with complexity and safeguarding.
To continually evaluate educational pathways with the Statutory Health Lead and Children's Services Manager as needed and be adaptable to change within the Service.
We are recruiting a Learning Disability and Autism Education Lead who:
is passionate about and have experience of improving the lives of children, young people, young adults up to the age of 25 who are autistic and/or have a learning disability and their families
can operationally lead the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service in its education priorities influencing internally and externally across systems
has experience of being transformational in education - leading on safe practice and service development, ensuring service effectiveness.
Has experience in data capture; with the ability to present data in management reports and progress reports to commissioners at Place and across West Yorkshire.
The Learning Disability and Autism Education Lead reports to the Children's Services Manager, working closely with our Statutory Health Lead whose role informs strategic priorities, impact and outcomes. You will not hold a caseload – this is a transformative systems-based role, supporting educational system change.
This is an exciting opportunity that has arisen in the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service. It's a unique opportunity to combine educational expertise; leading on transformational impact across educational systems at Place and across West Yorkshire, in a fast paced, innovative environment that puts children, young people, young adults up to the age of 25 who are autistic and/or have a learning disability and their families at the heart of everything we do.
You will work alongside a strong management team to provide educational leadership, operational oversight and data management to inform keyworking vision, priorities and development in West Yorkshire.
Function of the West Yorkshire Keyworker Service
The West Yorkshire Keyworker Service works across the West Yorkshire region and its systems with and for children, young people and young adults and families, capitalising on cross-system knowledge and experience to help them effectively navigate services. The service is mandated to work across sectors to facilitate timely and integrated care and support. We work in partnership with the 4 West Yorkshire Health Trusts, 5 local authorities, the voluntary sector and a range of health, social care, educational organisations.
The overall aims and objectives for the service is families get the support they need to navigate complex systems, supported by someone they have built a trusting relationship with. We want the support needs to be focused on the prevention of hospital admission or family/placement breakdown, supporting mental health and re-engagement in community activities.
We work closely with multiagency professionals in supporting the navigation of the system and securing wraparound support and care for children, young people and young adults with a learning disability and or are autistic. There are times where challenge is needed but working together and collaboratively is important.
Why Join Us?
Be part of a progressive, integrated Keyworker Service with rich learning opportunities.
Support a creative, evolving team with scope to shape service delivery.
Work in a supportive, values-driven organisation that prioritises staff wellbeing and development.
As Learning Disability and Autism Education Lead you will:
Lead and inspire SEND Transformation Groups and Boards across West Yorkshire to foster educational accountability and continuous improvements for children, young people, young adults up to the age of 25 who are autistic and/or have a learning disability.
Work with the Programme Manager, Children's Services Manager and Statutory Health Lead to represent the service in SEND strategic forums and with commissioners.
Lead SEND quality assurance – working at pace, dealing with complexity and safeguarding.
To continually evaluate educational pathways with the Statutory Health Lead and Children's Services Manager as needed and be adaptable to change within the Service.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.