Project Worker

At Barnardo's, we believe every child deserves the help they need to thrive. We work with children, young people and families to overcome challenges, build resilience and achieve positive outcomes that can be sustained into the future. The service funded by Families First supports children and young people aged 0‑25 and their families. You will work closely with a range of agencies and organisations to help families overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

We are looking for an organised, motivated and compassionate Keyworker to join our service in Merthyr Tydfil.

This role centres on building positive relationships with children, young people, families and other professional workers. You will coordinate support from different services, helping families access the right help at the right time, by bringing services together in a Team around the Family approach. Our referral route is via the Early Help Hub, and this means that a comprehensive assessment of needs and what matters to the family has already been undertaken.

The Key working service operates Monday to Friday and has bases in Treharris and Calon Las. Flexibility is essential, as the role involves working in a responsive and family‑centred way to meet the needs of our families.

As a Keyworker, you will develop a good understanding of local services across Merthyr Tydfil. You will build strong partnerships with agencies including CAMHS, Citizens Advice, community policing teams, counselling services, domestic abuse services, food and clothing banks, Home‑Start, housing providers, Primary Mental Health Services, schools, and universal health services.

Working closely with partner agencies will help ensure families receive coordinated, timely and effective support tailored to their individual needs.

What does the role involve and are you up for a challenge?

• Coordinating support for children, young people and families with multiple needs.
• Working closely with partner agencies to ensure families receive the right support at the right time.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with local services and community organisations.
• Supporting families to access education, housing, financial advice, domestic abuse services, health and wellbeing support, food banks and other community resources.
• Completing and contributing to family support plans.
• Helping families identify their strengths, goals and priorities.
• Monitoring progress and adapting support when needed.
• Maintaining accurate case records and reports.
• Identifying safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action.
• Supporting children, young people and parents to build confidence, resilience and independence.

We would love to see the following in your application form:

• Experience of working with children, young people and families with multiple and complex needs.
• Knowledge of working within a multi‑agency environment.
• Knowledge or experience of safeguarding processes.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Able to engage and motivate families to achieve positive change.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and reports.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• An understanding of the impact of poverty on children and families.

The successful candidate will receive a full induction and ongoing support from a designated line manager and colleagues.

You will also have access to a range of learning and development opportunities through Barnardo's and our partner agencies.

Travel expenses for work purposes will be reimbursed in line with Barnardo's expenses policy, currently 55p per mile.

When applying, please tell us how your experience from employment, education, training, volunteering or personal makes you a suitable candidate for this role.

Barnardo's is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Although this contract has a permanent status, please be aware that this post is subject to funding currently to 31 March 2029 and therefore should this funding not be extended further, you may be subject to a redundancy consultation or a TUPE arrangement.

Please contact:

G
Chri

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.