We are looking for a Key Work Manager to cover a period of maternity leave. It is one of the most important roles at Carney’s: you’ll lead our key work project, carry your own caseload of young people, and manage the small team who walk alongside them day in, day out.

The young people we key work are aged 11–30 and living in and around Wandsworth. Many are care-experienced or involved in the criminal justice system. What we offer them is long-term, consistent, unconditional support — and this role sits right at the heart of that.

The role at a glance

• Job title: Key Work Manager (Maternity Cover)
• Salary: £37,800 per annum
• Contract: 12 month fixed term, with possible extension
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, including some evening and occasional weekend work
• Earliest start date: 2 November 2026
• Location: 30 Petworth Street, Battersea, London SW11 4QW, and within the local community
• Holidays: 28 days including Bank Holidays
• Benefits: Workplace pension, free use of our gym and discounts in our bike shop
• Responsible to: CEO  |  Responsible for: the Key Work Team

What you’ll do

• Lead and oversee all key work activity at Carney’s Community.
• Manage a small team of key workers — supervision, appraisals, development plans, training and support.
• Carry your own caseload, building effective one-to-one relationships with participants and their families or carers, and acting as lead professional where needed.
• Work with each participant through their Personal Development Plan — identifying barriers, setting goals, reviewing progress and celebrating it.
• Support young people to attend YJS and Probation appointments, move between school, college and work, and access the wider services they need.
• Work with the Employment Support Manager to plan and deliver the employment group and lead specific employment programmes with local employers.
• Manage referrals into the project from schools, social services, probation and the Youth Justice Service.
• Maintain accurate case records, monitor outcomes and report progress to the management team and trustees.

About you

You’ll have proven experience of working directly with young people in a youth work or key work setting, providing one-to-one support, and experience of managing staff or volunteers. You’ll understand the local area and the barriers our young people face, and you’ll be skilled in empathy, boundaries, diplomacy and sound judgement.

Essential:

• A relevant degree (e.g. Social Work or Youth & Community Work) or demonstrable relevant professional experience.
• A proven track record of working successfully with vulnerable young people, including those offending or at risk of offending.
• Experience of managing a team, providing support, direction and motivation.
• A contemporary understanding of safeguarding, in theory and in practice.
• Excellent people skills — a strong negotiator, able to set clear boundaries and ready to mediate in a variety of settings.
• The ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision, and to prioritise a varied and demanding workload.
• Able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Good working knowledge of IT systems, including Word and Excel, and excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• A clear commitment to the aims and objectives of Carney’s Community.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Battersea and Wandsworth.
• Experience working in a charity or similar non-profit organisation.
• Recent First Aid and Safeguarding training. (Training in current regulations and practice will be offered to the successful applicant.)

Download the candidate pack

Download the Key Work Manager (Maternity Cover) candidate pack (PDF) — full job description, person specification and details about Carney’s Community.

How to apply

Apply now on CharityJob with your CV and a cover letter.

There is no fixed closing date for this role. We will review applications as they are received and invite suitable candidates to interview on a rolling basis. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled — so if it’s for you, please don’t wait.

Please note that Carney’s Community can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK.

Any questions? Email info@carneyscommunity.org or call 020 7228 0506.