Inuit Family Court Worker

It is the mission of Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) to broadly provide Inuit-specific programs that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Inuit and to encourage and support similar programs for Inuit across the country. With over 30 years of highly successful experience in crafting the design, development, and delivery of a wide range of effective, client-centered services, TI continues to deliver quality programs and services that directly benefit our growing urban Inuit population.

Under the supervision of the Manager of Kamatsiarniq Services, the Inuit Family Court Worker is responsible for the delivery of advocacy and support services for Inuit involved in the family court system, including separating couples and parents involved in child welfare matters. The incumbent assists community members to better understand their rights, options and responsibilities when appearing before the family courts, and provides ongoing support, advocacy, case planning, system navigation and service coordination in and out of the court.

• Provide case management services including assessment of client needs, service planning and coordination, case noting, advocacy and referrals.
• Assist clients to navigate child protection processes and/or court proceedings in family matters.
• Advocate for the client to ensure court matters are achievable by the clients.
• Provide legal information, legal resources and objective information to clients about processes.
• Assist families in completing compliance of orders and recommendations.
• Monitor family court decisions and conditions to ensure successful completion of all family court recommendations and/or orders.
• Assist clients/families with referrals to legal aid, counsel, mediation, arbitration, and other legal services, including assistance with legal aid applications.
• Facilitate safe and effective connections to other services and supports as needed.
• Advise the family courts of cultural needs relevant to the family and client.
• Participate in and actively contribute to case planning, case management meetings, case planning, case reviews and other relevant case conferences.
• Prepare and maintain accurate client files in the appropriate electronic system.
• Assist clients and family members in the development of supportive family and community networks.
• Participate, develop and advocate for family in designing a healing plan based on the unique personal needs of the client and family that take into account their social, economic and intergenerational trauma.
• Assist clients and their family to connect with their community and region of origin (if appropriate), including enrollment with their Land Claim Organization.
• Accompany clients to meetings, appointments and court proceedings as needed to provide support and advocacy.
• Work with interagency programs to establish services and activities to familiarize clients with cultural practices.
• Develop self-help groups and other programming based on overall needs of clients.
• Plan, coordinate and provide educational/awareness workshops and events.
• Liaise and advocate with other programs within and outside the organization and legal counsel.
• Provide case consultations with children’s aid societies and other agencies to ensure agency interactions and interventions are done in a culturally sensitive and appropriate way.
• Research and address multi-jurisdictional processes for protection orders, child custody, child support as well as other issues.
• Advocate, with the assistance and approval of the client, with an appeal or with an application to extend, vary or terminate a restraining order through Legal Counsel/Legal Aid.
• Assist outside agencies when transferring a case from intake to ongoing services and when conducting case review and evaluation.
• Review and comment on outside agencies’ (e.g. CAS) decisions.
• Prepare a brochure outlining the various family court processes.
• Provide/facilitate education and cultural awareness for children’s aid societies and other service agencies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict.
• Work in partnership with other agencies to establish integrated plans of care, coordinate service delivery, evaluate progress/goal planning, and develop transition plans/case file closures.
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports and statistics as required.
• Complete reports for funders as required.

The ideal candidate should have knowledge of Inuit culture, values, traditions, and IQ principles, and the ability to work effectively with Inuit communities. Must have knowledge of the Family Court system and Child welfare system in Ontario. Must possess knowledge of Inuit historical and contemporary issues, current issues facing urban Inuit children and youth in Ontario, particularly those involved with child protection services. Knowledge of case management processes, Trauma-informed practices, and strengths-based approach, services and resources available to Inuit in Ottawa and how to access these is required.

Excellent interpersonal skills, case and file management skills, organizational and time management skills, communication (oral and written) and group facilitation skills, strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills are required.

Ability to maintain accurate, secure, and up‐to‐date client records and case notes. Ability to develop rapport, trust, and ethical relationships with clients, exercise strong decision-making skills and deal with unpredictable situations, employ effective crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution approaches and techniques. Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach, operationalize a decolonizing and anti-oppressive approach, identify and appropriately support clients in crisis while maintaining healthy boundaries and practicing self-care, and ability to handle sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.

Must possess an inclusive and positive attitude towards community members who identify as LGBTQ2S, Gender-Fluid, Nonbinary, and/or Gender-Nonconforming. Must have a non-judgmental, inclusive, and positive attitude towards community members who are involved in high-risk behaviors or experiencing challenging circumstances, including child welfare involvement, substance use, homelessness, involvement in sex trade and other issues.

Completion of community college is required in social work, social services, counselling or directly related education and two (2) years of experience working in community services.

Two years’ previous experience delivering direct services in a social services or community services organization is required. One year’s experience in case management and experience providing advocacy on behalf of clients is required. Preferred one year experience in working with the family court system in Ontario, the Inuit community and working in an Indigenous organization.

Proficient use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, video-conferencing platforms and electronic records management applications is required. Clear Vulnerable Sector Check with results acceptable to TI is required. Fluency in English is required and the ability to communicate in Inuktitut is a significant asset.

Acceptable combinations of education and experience may be considered for this position. We encourage you to apply if you have equivalent years of education and/or experience equal to the education and experience requirements listed above.

• TI offers a competitive total compensation package. Employees are provided with an exceptional benefits plan which includes major medical and dental coverage for the employee and their dependents, and employee life insurance for those eligible as per the policy.
• TI provides paid sickness, personal and family sickness leave days, and a 24/7 confidential Employee and Family Assistance Plan.
• Vacation (earn 3 weeks/year).

The deadline for applications is November 6th, 2024.

Preference in hiring will be given to qualified Inuit candidates; applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit our website at www.tiontario.ca to learn more about our programs and services. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request.

The candidate works in a comfortable TI’s office environment at 282 Dupuis, Ottawa. Flexibility to work evenings and respond to occasional crisis calls from colleagues and clients outside of working hours and travel within the city is required. A valid driver’s license is preferred.

We thank all interested applicants in advance for their interest. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.