Family Preservation Worker

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Reporting to the Community Wellness Manager, the Family Preservation Worker is responsible to provide support/advocacy to Serpent River First Nation members during child welfare investigations. When Nogdawindamin meets with a family, a Family Preservation Worker can provide assistance and support to children and families to resolve child welfare crisis and co-operatively plan and carry out actions designed to divert future and/or similar crisis. The Family Preservation Worker functions within legislative requirements, regulations, policies and procedures and the Mission, Beliefs and Vision of Serpent River First Nation and contributes to the accomplishment of the strategic priorities.

DUTIES:

• Provide support and advocacy to families during child welfare investigations, following the Nogdawindamin/Community protocol;
• Participate in the provision of afterhours and on-call services;
• Provide advocacy and liaison services to promote and support client’s effort with external agencies and service providers to address service needs of the family;
• Work collaboratively with the other Family Preservation Worker/Band Representative;
• Engage families in a way that empowers them to move towards a more holistic lifestyle;
• Provide case management to ensure a coordinated and cooperative strategy in response to the child welfare needs of clients;
• Meet jointly with the family and referral sources to clarify areas of responsibility and work on identifying goals together;
• Develop a service plan with the family on goals and objectives that are concrete, attainable, and relevant to the concerns that led to the referral to the program;
• Assess families to identify areas of strengths as well as those that require intervention;
• Monitor and assess changes that occur in family situations.
• Ensure regular case conferences are held with the family and other service providers;
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with community resources, service providers, and groups;
• Monitor and maintain regular and on-going communication with service providers to ensure families receive quality services;
• Participate in regular Community Wellness Team meetings and/or network meetings in the community;
• Clarify the role of community support services prior to case closure.

• Ensure documents are completed as required.

• Ensure confidentiality forms are completed for all clients;
• Complete documentation according to First Nation and Ministry standards;
• Ensure evaluations and follow-up is completed once service has been completed and case closed;

• Ensure all required information is data entered into the CIMS database as required.
• Represent the collective interest of the Serpent River First Nation
• Collaboratively ensure a culturally appropriate disposition of each case
• Liaise with other First Nation Band Representatives, Agencies and Legal Council
• Prepare, respond to and process legal documents, as required, by the Ontario Court rules
• Prepare plans of care, including recommendations for placement of children
• Represent the First Nation at court as a Party of Child Welfare proceedings
• Make presentation to the Chief of Serpent River First Nation concerning individual Child Welfare cases and follow through with recommendations
• Participate in internal or external committees as required or assigned
• Other duties as required and assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University Degree in the Social Services field of study preferred
• Diploma in the Social Services field of study required
• Life Skills Coaching Certificate an asset
• Two (2) years’ direct experience working with children and families preferably in an Anishnawbek organization
• Experience working with Aboriginal people, organizations and communities
• Working knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR Certification within the first three months of employment.
• WHMIS certification or ability to obtain within the first three months of employment.
• Developed interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with the general public management and
• Be able to work overtime to meet deadlines and/or emergency situations
• Proficiency with Excel, computer software and office equipment
• Ability to work as a team in a fast paced environment
• Must provide a clear CPIC
• Valid Ontario Class 'G' Driver's License with a clear driver's
• Knowledge of Ojibway culture
• Knowledge of the 7 grandfather teachings

WORK SITE LOCATION:

The position will be located at the Family Centre in Serpent River.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the Director of Health and Wellness

AUTHORITY:

n/a