Social Worker

KTUNAXA KINBASKET CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES

social Worker

permanent, full time - invermere

casual, on call - cranbrook

POSITION SUMMARY

Part of a child, family, and community services team of professionals dedicated to the well-being of Aboriginal peoples and their families; being innovative, flexible, organized and responsive to the needs of all clients of all Aboriginal descents (First Nations, Métis and Inuit). Working collaboratively and consultatively with the communities (Band organization, families, elders), the Métis Associations, urban Aboriginal organizations, other KKCFS staff at all worksites (Creston, Cranbrook, and Invermere), and extensive community network of social services and law enforcement partners.

CONTRIBUTION

The role of the Social Worker is to ensure the safety and well being of children. Additionally this position ensures the needs of the children in care are met. This means that the Social Worker facilitates change using any and all resources available with the goal of developing children into successful adults. Children are kept safe, parents are supported to meet the needs of their children; children are supported to grow physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and have connections to culture, family, kinship family and community. This position facilitates decisions towards wellness and development of individuals.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinate and conduct child protection assessments and investigations for all Aboriginal children on and off reserve

Ensure that the roles and responsibilities of the KKCFS agency are shared with community, both aboriginal community and non-aboriginal community providing services to aboriginal children and families.

Provide ongoing Family Support and Child Protection Services to children and their families including initiating referrals to other KKCFS staff and external agencies. Provide family and community support services with goal of supporting and maintaining family units

On an ongoing basis assess client functioning and risk to children.

Formulate and implement casework plans

Prepare documents for court

Prepare children and families for court

Attend and give evidence in family and young offender court

Managing highly sensitive and confidential information on a daily basis – determining what information can/ cannot be shared with clients, community members, collaterals, leadership, other systems (i.e. schools, doctors, RCMP)

Support and Monitor temporary and permanent placements of children in care

Make financial decisions within the Social Worker spending authority on a daily basis. Make recommendations to coordinator for financial decisions outside of the social worker spending authority. Social Worker spending authorities range from no authority to full depending on area of need.

Attend KKCFS staff meetings at local and Cranbrook (Aqam) office.

Attend KKCFS training upon request/direction.

Maintain case records to agency standard. Use of Best Practice Database on a daily basis. Understand and use as required/directed the Ministry of Children and Family Development databases.

Recruit, assess, train, support, and oversee Kinship (Foster) and Alternate Care homes.

Use a variety of approaches/strategies to achieve desired outcomes gained through extensive knowledge of approaches to working with families.

Coordinate family meetings upon request by families, community members, KKCFS staff, and Ministry of Children and Family Development staff.

Coordinate joint meetings between community, leadership, Métis and other Aboriginal organization staff and KKCFS staff

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Preparation

Required - Bachelor degree in recognized human service field;
Diploma with 5 years direct experience may be considered;
Must be eligible for delegation under Child, Family, and Community Service Act
Successful completion of Caring for First Nations Children Society’s Social Work Delegation Training (20 weeks classroom, field experience, and 80% achievement on three exams)
Eligible for C6 (Level 15 Full Child Protection) Delegation of Authority for Employees of Aboriginal Agencies under the Child, Family and Community Service Act of British Columbia
Successful completion of Ministry of Children and Family Development Level 12 (Voluntary Services), Level 13 (Guardianship Services) and Level 15 (Child Protection) delegation exams

Required Skills, Knowledge and Experience

2 years experience working with families at risk (equivalency and other positions that work with child protection)
2 years experience working with Aboriginal communities
Extensive knowledge of aboriginal issues both historical and current in British Columbia
Knowledge of ethics and professional approaches in resolving ethical dilemmas
Be a positive community role model
Work in ways which empower and build capacity among individuals and communities
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with other staff as well as other inter-disciplinary partners in both the aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities
Commitment to the capacity of individuals and communities to promote their own health and well-being
Excellent communication skills, including written, oral and computer skills
Maintain confidentiality
Ability to ensure one’s own and clients’ safety
Ability to deal effectively with disclosures of physical, sexual and emotional abuse
Ability to deal effectively with conflict and apply dispute resolution and problem solving and negotiating skills in an effective and problem solving manner
Problem solving skills and strategies – ability to engage individuals presenting strong emotions and at times resistance to the involvement of social workers
Willingness to analyze approaches used with families, to learn from mistakes, and to explore alternative strategies to working with families