Family Support Worker

Position Type: One (1) Temporary (For a period of up to six (6) months), Part-Time (Up to twenty-one (21) hours/week) Position
Employee Group: Union
Salary Range: $34.14 - $37.07 /hour
Department: Children & Youth Services
Reports to: Service Supervisor

Family Support Workers will work with Child Protection Workers to assist the Society in fulfilling its mandates under any and all pertinent legislation. This position is responsible to working with families, children and alternate caregivers to develop appropriate goals and/or service objectives. Family Support Workers provide service according to professional standards towards the best interests of children, families and the Society.

The nature of this work is to provide intensive short-term service with flexible time commitments designed to meet the needs of the client, this may include weekend and evening work.

This position is focused primarily on supervising parenting time

Providing support to families and children by:

• Effectively engages families involved with the Society.
• Assesses family functioning and provides intervention to clients in their community.
• Develops and implements behavioural strategies with parents that promote the safety and development of children.
• Drives children/parents to appointments and court (and other appropriate appointments) and provides support to them when necessary.
• Documents client progress and prepares reports and file information

Manages a caseload of support cases either through individual, family or group programs by:

• Assists Child Protection Workers in achieving case work objectives.
• Coordinates and supervises family access visits.
• Teaches/models specific parenting or child management skills with parents.
• Responds to urgent or tragic events for children and families.
• Provides one-to-one intensive work with caregivers, children or adolescents.
• Evaluates effectiveness in interventions and support clients transitioning to and from services.
• Monitors the safety of children and reports increased risk to Child Protection Workers or Supervisor immediately.
• Provides case consultations to facilitate service planning goals.
• Participates in case conferences.
• Refers and coordinates services with community service providers.
• Meets regularly with supervisor as contracted for caseload management and review.
• Assists in orienting new workers, students and/or volunteers.
• Provides service according to legislation, regulations and Society policies and procedures.
• Develops collaborative relationships and networks with related service providers to strengthen service provision for children and youth.
• Knowledge of community resources available through government, community-based agencies and private providers, with an emphasis on the promotion of evidence based practices.
• Responds to general enquiries and perform other duties as assigned which are directly related to the major responsibilities of the position.

• B.A. or Community College Diploma in social or behavioural sciences, plus four (4) years relevant experience working with children and families related to the specific population to be served.
• Knowledge of the child welfare sector considered an asset.
• Knowledge of relevant CAS computer applications considered a strong asset.
• Valid Driver’s License and access to a reliable motor vehicle with appropriate business class liability insurance is required
• A satisfactory Police Records Check is required

• Professional, approachable and customer-service orientated.
• Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolutions skills with the ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy under pressure.
• Demonstrates sensitivity and awareness of the obstacles facing children and families.
• Works co-operatively and effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to prioritize workload within competing demands and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Actively upholds the principles identified in the Society’s Code of Conduct.
• Passion and commitment to an inclusive workplace; respecting and valuing the…