Training launched for CYP keyworkers supporting people who have a learning disability, are autistic or both

Keyworkers for children and young people that are autistic or have a learning disability or both can now access specialist training to support their practice with individuals and families.

The training covers the essential topics for keyworkers and helps them ensure that personalised packages of support are in place to enable children and young people, at risk of being admitted to hospital, stay in the community. 

It is available on Health Education England’s e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE eLfH) platform to make it easily accessed and sits alongside a wide range of other subjects relevant to their roles.

The keyworker role spans across health, social care and education and the programme provides workers across the country with a common set of core skills to ensure they can help children and young people with the most complex care needs.

eLfH worked with a community interest company, Pathways Associates, to co-produce the training with young people and their families.  It will help keyworkers chart the most beneficial path for their work and includes:

• Foundations for Keyworking
• Human Rights Approaches
• Understanding the System

It is mandatory for all appointed keyworkers to complete this programme as part of their induction, and they will also participate in local and national skills-based training programmes.

Professor Ashok Roy, Clinical Lead for the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Programme at HEE, said: “We are delighted to be able to launch this e-learning programme that will enhance the skills of Children and Young People’s Keyworkers. By supporting people with the most complex needs, keyworkers will play a significant role in preventing admissions to mental health hospitals for this group of children and young people.  The training will equip workers with knowledge which will ensure that their roles are effective.”

For more information and to access the resource, please visit the Keyworking programme page on eLfH.

ENDS

 Notes to editors:

1. The Children and Young People's keyworker programme is a four-year multi-million-pound investment by NHS England and NHS Improvement to provide keyworkers to support autistic children and young people and those with learning disabilities to leave mental health hospitals and access suitable support in communities.  HEE is supporting the delivery of this programme by developing training for keyworkers.
2. Pathways Associates is a community interest company that works to promote person centred approaches and self-directed support. Their team of associates, who are mainly people with direct lived experience, have a wide collective experience of working with people with learning disabilities and autistic people and their families.