Course Profile: Key Working (1-3 Days)
The role of the key worker is often misunderstood. This course provides the clarity required so that the worker can support the service user in an accountable, structured and Person Centred way. Learners will acquire an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to carry out the task. The key work relationship will be explored and principles of good practice reinforced with a particular focus on holding appropriate professional boundaries, team and multi-disciplinary working; developing and maintaining an appropriate relationship. The course is informed by the organisation’s policy as well as professional guidelines e.g. The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.
The course provides some knowledge for:
NHS KSF: HWB1.3; 4.3; 5.3
CIS: 1.1; 1.3; 2.2; 3; 4.1; 4.2; 5.1; 5.2; 7.1; 7.2; 7.4; 7.5
QCF: HSC025; 036; 31; 3020; SHC33; 34
MIS: 1.1.1; 1.1.2; 1.1.5; 1.4.2; 3.1		 The course is designed for Health & Support staff working in a range of settings and with diverse service user groups and needs.
The course will assist organisations to deliver CQC Outcome 4.
Learning outcomes

By the end of the course learners should understand:

• What is a key worker
• Different models of key working
• What the key worker does on an everyday basis and in the longer term
• How the key worker needs to relate to the rest of the team
• How the key worker needs to relate to other professionals, agencies and the service user’s circle
• What the essential skills are and what skills need to be developed over time
• The advantages to all involved of a key working system
• The potential dangers in the relationship
• How to initiate the relationship
• The use of Key work contracts
• How to maintain a healthy relationship
• That the relationship is not personal and that the key worker does not ‘own’ the service user
• Unconscious processes that may distort the relationship
• How to avoid contamination in the relationship, particularly through Supervision
• How important Supervision and team meetings are
• How to establish and hold boundaries
• What is meant by Person Centred support and how it applies to key work
• Basic listening skills (2 & 3 day courses only)
• The organisation’s Confidentiality policy regarding key work
• How to promote the interests of the service user within the team
• The role of advocates and what they can do to assist
• How to embrace and celebrate the individuality of the service user and support the principles of Diversity in the service user’s
  interest
• The need to be aware of the organisation’s Safeguarding policy
• The worker’s role in Safeguarding
• How to manage a key worker meeting; the challenges and how to respond to these
• How to go about arranging a review
• How to lead the review; Person Centred reviews & supporting the service user to lead the review
• How important it is to record effectively and according to policy
• How to link key work to the Support Plan
• How to end the relationship in a healthy way
Training methods utilised include: Presentations, Role-play, Trust exercises, Word-storming, Feedback, Discussion, Tutor presentations, PowerPoint, Group work, DVD and Handouts