Role overview

Job Summary:This position may be responsible for service in the following areas: Family Services, Connections, Resource, and Intake and Assessment. The delivery of services will be in alignment with the Child, Youth, and Family Services Act and the vision, mission, values and overall strategic direction of CASSDG. These positions may carry a generic caseload.
Core Competencies:Education:

Master of Social Work or Bachelor of Social Work preferred.
Minimum of a Bachelor of Arts degree in a related field.

Experience:

Minimum of two years of direct service experience.

Personal:

Possession of a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle to use for work purposes.
As a requirement of employment, all applicants must have a Canadian Social Insurance Number.
Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check.

Other:

Preference will be given to those who identify as First Nations, Inuit and Métis; African Canadian/Black heritage; or other racially marginalized persons who meet the educational requirements, skills and competencies, or who have equivalent education and experience.
The ability to communicate in both official languages will be a requirement for any position designated as French-essential under the French Language Services Act.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:Functional Duties:

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.

Team Building/Interpersonal Duties:

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 and Attributes: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 of others and is committed and contributes positively to the team and the organization.
Advocates for family members, youth and children in community and clinical meetings.
Understands the importance of, and can cultivate effective, trust-based relationships with community partners.

Efforts and Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed out of the office, as well as at a desk in a normal office environment with regular meetings with children, families and other professionals.
Long periods of sitting and computer/phone use.
Multi-tasks within a fast-paced, high-volume and demanding environment.
Required to listen to and reconcile multiple points of view being discussed/presented.
Frequent interruptions often dealing with critical issues.
Frequent travel within the CASSDG region.
May be exposed to potentially hazardous environments including driving conditions, volatile situations and risks associated with a standard office.
Can work non-routine/flexible hours, and/or evenings; may be called into work in case of emergencies.
Occasional lifting of children or heavy objects may be required.
Regularly works in emotionally charged situations requiring resolution.