Family Support Worker; Counsellor AB

Competition #: 49918

Department:
Opportunities and Social Development

Location:

HALIFAX

Type of Employment:
Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 30-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

As a Family Support Worker, you will provide support to the children, youth and families connected to the Child and Family Wellbeing program. You will have an in-depth involvement and will play an active role in working with children, youth and families to build resilience and inspire change. While working collaboratively with the social worker, you will develop and deliver a plan to provide service, education, support and advocacy to the families, children & youth in care.

If you are looking for an opportunity to make positive impacts on the lives of children and families, establish positive connections and build everlasting relationships within your community.

• Developing strategies and providing knowledge, tools and guidance to families and youth to support independent living and meeting their physical/emotional, social and learning needs.
• Building positive relationships with diverse clients (families, children & youth), ensuring respect, empathy and an understanding of the impact of their trauma.
• Advocating for clients and helping them connect to community supports and resources.
• Assisting with income and social supports, affordable housing and life skills.
• Making independent visits to clients in their homes/communities and attending court sessions.
• Comprehensive and timely evaluation of ongoing services to clients with an intent to find solutions and improve services.

You have an approved Child & Youth Care Worker diploma from a provincially approved post‑secondary institution. An undergraduate degree in Social Sciences is considered an asset.

• Knowledge of child development, family dynamics and community resources along with an understanding of physical, psychological, and emotional needs of children and youth in a family setting as well as in care.
• Knowledge of financial management and healthy child development & life skills
• Understanding and experience with working towards the objectives of the established case plans.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, to strengthen and improve the support provided to children and families.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build relationships & networks with diverse individuals, groups and communities.
• Effective interactive communication skills (written and verbal) to engage collaborations and navigate diverse client environments with tact and empathy.
• Ability to adapt to the changing/unpredictable client circumstances, exercise timely judgement and make decisions to provide a culturally responsive service to clients.
• Knowledge of various software packages, such as Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).

• previous experience in child welfare or other social services,
• experi…