The role of the key worker

1
The role of the key worker

• Helen Morgan
• Family Support Project Co-ordinator

2
Role of the key worker

• RATIONALISATION, COORDINATION, COMMUNICATION
• Oversee referral, assessment, delivery
  evaluation process for each family
• Assess underlying problems driving behaviour to
  identify support needs
• Co-ordinate existing service provision and fill
  in support gaps with specialist/bought-in
  provision liaison with agencies
• Reduce/avoid duplication and inconsistency
• Provide clarity re link between actions and
  consequences
• Monitor
• Leadco-ordinate action by sharing information
  with appropriate agencies
• Work holistically and flexibly in meeting the
  needs of families

3
Project Process a case study

• Engagement of household
• ?
• Family Behaviour Contract
• ?
• Assessment
• ?
• Family Group Conference
• ?
• Support plan
• ?
• Monitoring and Evaluation

4
Family H

• Family Make-up Single parent family, 4 children,
  Mum W/B, children W/BC. Secure tenant
• Reason for referral Complaints to Housing/Police
  over 6 yr period noise, fighting, nuisance
  behaviour, drug dealing, vehicle-related
  nuisance, intimidation and violence
• Non-engagement with agencies over 9 month period
• Demotion notice served and project letter sent
  Feb 2005

5
Family Behaviour Contract

• Family Behaviour Contract drawn up set standards
  for acceptable behaviour
• Conditions related to tenancy and behaviour
• Outlined consequences of failing to comply

6
Assessment

• Assessment of risk and protective factors
• Outcomes determined at 3 levels (person, family,
  community/school)
• build on/maintain the identified protective
  factors
• Eliminate/reduce the risk factors

7
Assessment

• Household and family details
• Risk factors School non-attendance, 1 child on
  YOT order, absent parent/poor parenting, drugs
  misuse, medical problems, negative peer
  influence, DV, Mental Health of parent
• Protective Factors Demonstrated awareness of
  ambitions, interest in pro-social activities,
  positive relationships within family

8
Family Group Conference

• Shifts responsibility to family rather than
  agency
• builds partnerships between family, community and
  services
• a decision making process - forum for the family
  to come together
• transparent accountability for all involved

9
Support Plan

• Outlined support needs and action points over
  defined timescale for each family member and
  agency
• Co-ordinated mainstream and bought-in support

10
Support Plan

• Support Family Behaviour Contract, Right Track
  parenting group, referrals to ConnexionsYISP,
  project youth provision, liaison with Ed Dept,
  charity applications for funding for household
  items and mattress covers

11
Monitoring

• Weekly incident monitoring from
  Police/Housing/Noise Pollution
• Weekly check on engagement with Support Plan
• Weekly visit to family/ drop in to support
  sessions

12
Evaluation

• Qualitative
• Impact Statements from 3 neighbours
• Agency Statement from Social Services
• Service User Impact Statement
• Quantitative
• Reduction in complaints of ASB
• Reduction in Housing/Police action
• Cost effectiveness

13
Outcomes

• Suspension of legal action
• 74 reduction in police incidents
• Reduction in arrests of family members
• Social Services intervention ceased
• Youngest child attending school full-time after
  absence of 6 months
• Eldest children completed YAA in full-time
  education after non-attendance of 2 years
• Family have redecorated house

14
Key elements of the role

• Key worker role essential to drive progress
  forward through co-ordination and monitoring
• Families need a single point of contact
• Assertive, proactive approach necessary to
  minimise family disengagement
• Honesty and clarity of actions and consequences
  - behaviour contract
• Assessment of needs has to incorporate whole
  family
• Interventions must be timely, regularly reviewed
  and effectively delivered
• Evaluation should be quantitative and qualitative
  figures dont tell the whole story

15
Helen MorganBristol Family Support Project

• helen_morgan_at_bristol-city.gov.uk