IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Keyworker Service will be changing, and our new service model will begin in the autumn of 2026, whilst we make the necessary changes to our staff team and service model we will not be working directly with people and their families. 


During this time, we continue to accept referrals, offer consultation, advice and signposting. You may wish to consider these timelines before making a referral. 

 

Keyworkers do not replace statutory responsibilities of social workers, clinicians, or education professionals - Keyworkers do not undertake statutory assessments, determine eligibility for funded services, or authorise packages of care - Safeguarding decision-making remains with the appropriate statutory agency, with escalation and oversight provided within the Keyworker Service - The Keyworker role complements, rather than duplicates, existing professional roles by ensuring clarity, communication, and continuity.

Referral Information

Before making a referral, please ensure the individual meets the criteria for the South Yorkshire Keyworker Service. Referrals are appropriate for autistic people or people with a learning disability who would benefit from coordination and navigation support, or where there is an increased risk of inpatient admission or placement/living arrangement breakdown.


The service cannot accept referrals for mental health support, family support, advocacy, or as part of a planned step down from statutory services. 

 

Before completing the referral form please ensure that you have read the Keyworker Service Offer below

 

1. Person‑Centred Information Gathering & Understanding

  • Supporting people to complete documents and resources about them.
  • Completing “a day in the life of the person.”
  • Individual world experience and their understanding of the world.
  • Strengths‑based “who are you” work.
  • Observations of presentation in different environments.
  • Conversations.
  • Question and answer sessions.
  • Playing with individuals to identify outcomes.
  • Mapping information – people involved, outcomes of meetings, understanding of systems/processes.
  • Clarification and validation of what has been agreed, offered, and understood.

 

2. Communication Support & Development

  • Supporting people to identify their preferred communication method.
  • Identifying communication indicators – what certain behaviours mean and how this is known.
  • Emotional literacy.

 

3. Engagement With Systems, Services & Processes

  • Supporting people to engage with the system, services and processes – with a graduated approach aiming toward independence or identifying a sustainable long‑term support person.
  • Supporting people to build confidence in systems, services and processes.
  • Supporting people to understand and articulate their needs.
  • Supporting people to understand service expectations around engagement, and what could cause care/support/treatment to stop.
  • Passports.

 

4.  Supporting Relationship Building & Collaboration

  • Supporting relationships between people, families/carers, and services under the principles of:
    • Person‑centred
    • Collaborative
    • Transparent
    • Bridging gaps
    • Solution‑focused

 

5. Skill Development (Non‑Clinical)

  • Developing emotional, social, developmental, coping, resilience, life skills and caring skills.
  • Goal setting, including identifying boundaries and planning to break them down.

 

6. Promoting Independence & Future Planning

  • Promoting independence and encouraging ownership.
  • Signposting to services.

 

To make a referral or request a professional consultation, please complete the form LDA Key Worker Service Access Form 2026 (2) – Fill in form

 

Alternatively, you can contact the team via email: syicb.keyworkerlda@nhs.net