Child Protection Worker

• Have a clear understanding of the Children’s Aid Society’s Child Welfare Mandate, the CYFSA legislation and regulations, the agencies strategic framework, the Eligibility Spectrum (2021), and Child Protection Standards (2016).
• Provide collaborative and respectful assessment of risk for children and youth in protection and non-protection services.
• Provide case planning, support, and case management with families in consultation with supervisor.
• Assess the need for a child/youth to come into care on a planned or unplanned basis, including the use of culturally appropriate strategies like customary care when applicable.
• Gather relevant identifying demographic information about children/youth, their families, and their social and family functioning, and make recommendations based on this information.
• Continuously assess child/youth safety and assist families in developing agency led safety planning.
• When children cannot remain with their families, assess alternative placement within ministry guidelines and support families in placement decisions.
• Support children and youth who are residing outside of the family home and provide support to alternate caregivers.
• Prepare cases for court or legal proceedings in consultation with the Society lawyer and present evidence and testify in court where necessary.
• Maintain documentation in accordance with Ministry standards, agency policies and procedures.
• Be aware of roles and responsibilities under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and agency health and safety policies and performs duties in a manner that ensures safety at all times.

• Develop skills and knowledge by attending training, workshops, and individual and group supervisions.
• Work autonomously or in a multi-disciplinary team to provide ongoing risk assessment, analysis, judgement and support to children/youth and families.
• Refer, collaborate, and attend case conferences with other child/youth protection agencies and community partners/professionals as required.

Skills:

• Follows and implements Child Welfare legislation, standards, and Agency policies.
• Prioritizes competing demands and has good time management.
• Adapts to change and responds to changing circumstances and priorities in a professional manner.
• Understands the importance of accountability in their work and seeks out directions or consultations as needed.
• Implement feedback from supervision to improve their practice and clinical skills.
• Assesses risk and determines appropriate next steps.
• Computer aptitude and proficiency.
• Effective written and oral communication skills and engagement skills.
• Critical decision-making skills that are inclusive and collaborative.
• Ability to resolve conflict and de-escalate crisis situations in a professional setting

Attributes:

• Understanding their privilege, recognizes their bias, and integrates the Agency’s mission, commitments and declarations into their work.
• Commitment to improving, developing, and implementing Truth and Reconciliation, anti-oppression, and anti-racism practices in our organization.
• Demonstrates cultural competency and sensitivity while working cross-culturally.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, recognizes their strengths and weaknesses, and understands how their beliefs impact their work.
• Demonstrates the ability to support the distinct identities and cultures of Indigenous children and families we are involved with.
• Understands the use of authority and uses it in an ethical and responsible manner.
• Understands the Agency’s service delivery model and can implement this within their work.
• Demonstrates transparency, respect, fairness, empathy and compassion.
• Welcomes the ideas, values, experiences and expertise…