Autism and Learning Disability Keyworker

Salary: Band 8, £37,562 - £40,443, per annum. 1 Year Fixed Term Contract

Contract: Fixed Term

We are looking for an experienced professional who are ready for a new challenge in our neurodiversity multidisciplinary team based in the civic office in Portsmouth

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people with learning disabilities and autism? Do you have the drive to support families and work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for those at risk of mental health hospital admissions or residential placements?

Please note: We have the following position available:

1 x Full time working  37 hours per week - 1 Year fixed term contract

As an Autism and Learning Disability Keyworker, you will:

• Proactively support a caseload of children, young people and families, ensuring care is personalised and holistic.
• Work alongside Lead Professionals to provide emotional, behavioural and practical support.
• Advocate for young people, ensuring their voices are heard in multi‑agency meetings.
• Coordinate multi‑agency working across health, education and social care.
• Provide advice, guidance and interventions, or facilitate access to further support.
• Work closely with family support workers to offer enhanced early intervention to families needing more intensive help.
• Hold services to account to ensure children and families receive timely, appropriate support.

Someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for neurodiverse children and young people, with a collaborative, family‑centred approach.

You should have:

• Significant experience working in autism and/or learning disability services.
• Experience supporting children and young people across health, education or social care.
• Up‑to‑date professional development and relevant legislative knowledge.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills—able to adapt style for children, young people, parents and professionals.
• Experience coordinating multi‑agency working around a child or young person.
• Confidence mediating where differing opinions arise.
• Ability to analyse complex information and challenge decisions professionally.
• Problem‑solving skills, with the ability to respond to unexpected demands.
• Ability to travel to locations not easily accessible by public transport.
• The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English (essential).

Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached below for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Hybrid Working Arrangements: You will be expected to work from the office base at the civic offices twice a week in line with the council's hybrid working policy. 

If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Claire Mason - claire.mason@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Interview date: 3rd November 2026

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. 

We strongly encourage candidates to add all Career and Education History to their application, as CVs are not reviewed as part of the shortlisting process.

As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.

If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your Personal statement.

We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.

You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800. 

• Portsmouth City Council Candidate Guide.pdf
• Autism and Learning Disability Keyworker JP September 2026.pdf - Job Profile