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key worker

British  

noun

  1. a social worker, mental health worker, or nursery nurse assigned to an individual case, patient, or child

  2. (in Britain) a worker in any of a number of public sector professions considered by the government to be essential to society, for example teachers, police officers, NHS health workers etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A prison key worker said he had come to the unit wanting to work on "reactions and perceptions of rudeness towards him".

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2025

The key worker told the court that her meetings with Child E, usually took place "in private" in a classroom.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2025

An ombudsman's report in 2020 stated NEP failed to properly allocate a key worker to Matthew.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2024

Many changes had been made, she said, including enhancing its community support and key worker programme to improve services.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2023

As a carer, Femi was a "key worker".

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2023