- Key worker
A key worker is a
public sector employee who is considered to provide an essential service. The term is often used in theUnited Kingdom in the context of those essential workers who may find it difficult to buy property in the area where they work." [http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/HomeBuyingSchemes/DG_4001345 Key Worker Living programme] ", Directgov]In particular, it has become more prominent as escalating house prices result in a gap between household income and the cost of housing. Many local authorities and other public sector bodies (especially in London and South East, where a "Key worker living scheme" operates)" [http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/buyingselling/ownershipschemes/homebuy/keyworkerliving/ Key worker living scheme] ", Department of Communities and Local Government] face major problems recruiting and retaining their workers (may of whom are on lower levels of pay than the private sector) in terms of housing (in most cases the social rented sector is unable to provide low cost housing for rent or shared ownership)." [http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/our_services/residents_housing/housing_services/housing_advice_options/council_tenant/ct_keyworkers.htm Key Workers] ", City of London] The response to these concerns has been the development of initiatives designed to house key workers, including low-cost loans and
shared ownership schemes." [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4213339.stm Ask the expert: Key worker mortgages] ",BBC ,27 January 2005 ]Those defined as key workers generally include:
*ClinicalNational Health Service staff
*Teacher s andnursery nurse s
*Police officers,Community Support Officer s and some civilian police staff
*Prison officers and some other Prison staff
*Probation Service staff
*Social worker s, educational psychologists, and therapists
*Local Authority Planners
*Firefighter s
*Connexions Personal Advisers
*Some Ministry of Defence personnel
*Environmental Health Officer
*Highway Agency Traffic OfficersThe definition is sometimes extended to include those support staff without whom the above roles may struggle to function." [http://www.ashford.gov.uk/community_and_living/housing/affordable_housing/key_worker_qualifying_roles.aspx Key Worker Qualifying Roles] ",
Ashford Borough Council ]References
External links
*Martin, Geoff (2001) " [http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2001/mar/21/comment1 Just what is a 'key worker'?] ",
The Guardian ,March 21 2001
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