Available on the Learning Hub

This programme is available on the NHS Learning Hub. We recommend you read the information on this webpage to find out more about the programme before you access the learning (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/CYP-with-LD-and-autism)

More information about the Learning Hub and the migration of elfh programmes can be found here.

About the Keyworking for children and young people with a learning disability, and autistic children and young people programme

This elearning programme has been developed to support NHS England in implementing Keyworking services for children and young people with a learning disability and autistic children and young people.

These elearning sessions have been created to assist Keyworking sites across England in understanding the core principles of Keyworking and promoting a consistent approach. By completing this training, Keyworkers will be better prepared to assist children and young people who are at risk of admission to, or are currently admitted to, a mental health hospital. Additionally, this learning is designed to help Keyworkers provide effective support to the families of these children and young people.

The sessions will help new Keyworkers chart the most beneficial path for their work with children, young people, carers and families. As the journey of Keyworking develops, new knowledge and learning will shape future iterations of this elearning.

There are 5 elearning sessions:

1. Foundations of Keyworking
2. Human rights approaches
3. Understanding the system
4. Safeguarding (new session, launched June 2024)
5. Legal frameworks

It is mandatory for all new Keyworkers to complete these sessions. This is part of their induction in addition to participating in local and national skills-based training programmes.

More information

In 2021, the then Health Education England (HEE) commissioned the community interest company, Pathways Associates to develop the content for this programme, with support from a broad group of stakeholders. To ensure the e-learning content was co-produced and aligned with shared values, children, young people, families, and workforce colleagues collaborated frequently to establish the core content for each topic.

They discussed topics related to the 5 sessions to understand the words often used in describing the experiences of children, young people, and families supported by Keyworkers. The groups were then able to co-design each session to reflect what was shared.

Pathways Associates is dedicated to promoting person-centered approaches and self-directed support. Their team, primarily composed of individuals with direct lived experience, brings together extensive collective expertise in working with people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and their families. This team played a leading role in the co-production of this resource.

Acknowledgements

The programme features videos and audio from parents who have kindly shared stories of the challenges and difficulties that their children and young people have experienced in getting support to meet their health, education and social needs. We are immensely grateful to all who contributed their stories and experiences so generously and allowing new Keyworkers to learn from this. We offer a special note of thanks to the children and young people themselves who shared their experiences.

Original artwork for this programme, as seen in the banner above, has been designed and is used with the kind permission of David Gill. David is an Expert by Experience and Disability and Autism Advisor for NHS England.

We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of Kate Sutton (former Children and Young People’s Keyworking Lead, NHS England) and Lisa Proctor (former Workforce Specialist with the Learning Disability and Autism Programme at HEE and NHS England). Both played an essential role in the early stages of this programme, providing valuable expertise and guidance during the development and approval of the first three sessions.

How to access

In order to access the Keyworking for children and young people with a learning disability, and autistic children and young people  programme, you will need an elfh account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below.

Register >

To view the Keyworking for children and young people with a learning disability, and autistic children and young people  programme, select the View button below. If you already have an account with elfh, you will also be able to login and enrol on the programme from the View button.

View >

Not an NHS organisation?

If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access elfh Hub, you may be able to access the service by creating an OpenAthens account.

To check whether or not you qualify for free access via OpenAthens, you can view the eligibility criteria and register on the ‘OpenAthens’ portal.

Staff in social care should contact elfh directly to request access to this programme.

Registering large numbers of users

If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Keyworking for children and young people with a learning disability, and autistic children and young people programme, please contact elfh directly.

Organisations wishing to use their own LMS

For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.

More information

Please select the following link for more information on how to use the elfh Hub.