174820 - Social Worker (Child Protection) - Department of Social Development and Seniors - Permanent

The Department of Social Development and Seniors is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. Our goal is to build a public sector workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and to promote welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful workplaces that are accessible to all. We welcome all interested individuals including Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, Black, racialized, ethnic and culturally diverse groups, as well as people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identities, and gender expressions. Those looking for more information are invited to visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.

This is a senior social worker position involving leadership functions within the Provincial Child Protection Intake Investigation Team with the primary responsibility for investigation and assessing child protection reports to determine if a child is in need of protection and providing child protection services in accordance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. As a delegated child protection social worker, the Senior Child Protection Social Workers (SCPSW), in addition to performing duties of CPSWs, are dealing with more complex cases as well as providing mentorship and case direction to more junior CPSWs. They are also acting in the absence of team Supervisors on a regular basis.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Receiving child protection reports and conducting child protection investigations to determine if a child is in need of protection in accordance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act;
• Conducting home visits to interview family members and assess living conditions;
• Documenting all relevant information and completing required Child Protection Investigation forms;
• Conducting joint interviews with police in matters of physical and sexual abuse of children;
• Arranging for and attending medical exams for children in relation to physical or sexual abuse investigations;
• Developing clinical assessments and service plans to ensure child’s safety and enhance parental functioning to mitigate child safety risks;
• Transferring the custody and guardianship of a child to the Director of Child protection;
• Preparing cases for legal interventions and representing the Director of Child Protection in Court proceedings;
• Accessing and coordinating appropriate community-based resources, and developing and enhancing client resources through collaboration with service providers and the community;
• Prioritizing and effectively managing caseload expectations;
• Providing leadership, acting in supervisor’s absence, and providing consultation and training for new staff and social work students;
• Providing after-hours emergency child protection coverage on a rotation basis; and
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Master of Social Work degree supplemented with considerable experience or a Bachelor of Social Work degree supplemented by extensive experience. Consideration may be given to applicants with a Master of Social Work degree with experience or a Bachelor of Social Work degree supplemented by considerable experience.Experience required in Social Work and prior experience in child protection is preferred;
• Must be eligible for registration with the PEI Social Work Registration Board and for delegation under the PEI Child, Youth and Family Services Act;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• A valid PEI Class 5 driver’s license with access to a reliable vehicle. Requires Driver’s Abstract;
• The employee is required, as a condition of employment, to provide a motor vehicle for the purposes of carrying out employment functions. The requirement is subject to review every 12 months as per UPSE Civil Collective Agreement;
• Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, impacts of abuse and neglect on children, community resources, trauma and its effect on children’s well-being, mental health and addictions issues and their impacts, and the importance of permanency planning for children;
• Skills in risk assessment, interviewing, communication, case planning, case management, counselling, clinical assessment, critical thinking, anger management, conflict resolution, group work, crisis intervention, collaboration, cultural competence, computer literacy, documentation and time management;
• Ability to understand and interpret the Child, Youth and Fami