Key working
One-to-one key working for young people
We match each young person with the keyworker best placed to support them, agree a plan, and work towards goals that help them live a more independent life.
How it works
Our team brings together personal experience and professional training. After gathering information, we start with befriending. Then we tailor a support plan for a set period, so the young person builds the tools to overcome, or manage and thrive with, whatever they are facing.
Everything is child-centred. We set out goals with the young person and work towards outcomes together. We include the family in the plan too, so they can help keep the new structure going once our support ends.
Befriending
Getting to know the young person and building trust.
Information gathering
Understanding their needs, with the social worker and family.
A tailored plan
Clear goals, worked on over a set period, typically 13 weeks.
Review and report
We keep everyone in the young person's circle of support informed.
Who we support
Our staff support young people across council teams, with anything from social interaction to getting back into education.
Complex needs
Young people with physical and learning disabilities, autism, and communication or behavioural difficulties. Our staff are flexible and understand the autistic spectrum.
Looked-after children
Consistent, trusted adult support for children in care.
Children and families in need
Support for the young person and their family together.
Young people we help are often facing
- Disengagement from education or employment
- Antisocial or offending behaviour
- Substance misuse
- Mental health difficulties
- Problems at home
Sessions at our Deptford hub
Many sessions run at the YPR hub, a space designed around young people's needs and interests. For young people who find the social side of life hard, we build sessions around activities like table tennis, cooking, or arts and crafts, to grow creativity, social skills and positive communication.
For young people with more complex needs, keyworkers can plan sessions around our sensory room or life-skills activities.
Programmes and certificates
Within key working, young people can take part in our Leadership and Perceptual Thinking programmes, and earn AQA Unit Award certificates for what they learn in their sessions.
Working with young people yourself? Our guide to key work session ideas has practical ideas and a simple session structure.
Frequently asked questions
What is key working at YPR?
Key working is personal, one-to-one support. A trained keyworker works closely with a young person to build trust, set goals and make positive changes in their life.
What does a key worker do?
Keyworkers offer mentoring, emotional support, advocacy and practical guidance. They help young people manage challenges, find their way around services and follow a personal plan.
Who benefits from key working?
Young people facing emotional difficulties, disengaged from school, involved with social care, or who simply need a trusted adult.
Where does key working take place?
Wherever the young person feels most comfortable: our hub in Deptford, community venues, schools, at home or out in the community. Safety and accessibility come first.
How long does key working last?
It depends on the young person's needs and goals. We typically support a young person for 13 weeks (three months): usually long enough to stabilise things, understand what is going on and share practical ways to ease tension. Some young people work with us for longer.
What makes YPR's key working different?
It is rooted in our R.E.A.C.H. values and shaped around each young person's culture, context and feelings. We build genuine relationships, and we involve the family so the progress lasts after our support ends.
Related services
AQA Unit Award Scheme
Certificates for every unit a young person completes in their sessions, at their own pace.
Workshops and programmes
The Leadership and Perceptual Thinking programmes: confidence, self-awareness, better choices.
Sensory room
A calm, supervised space in Deptford for children with sensory processing needs.
Refer a young person for key working
Social workers, schools and youth offending teams can contact us to discuss a referral.