Outreach Worker- Streetreach North

For more than 90 years, The Link has helped youth and families on a journey to healing, hope, and better lives. The organization is dedicated to walking alongside children, youth, and families as an inclusive community, strengthening and empowering a sense of being, pride, and purpose. With over 15 diverse programs, The Link has a community of caring staff that work together to provide support through a 24-hour crisis line, youth resource centers, emergency shelters, mobile crisis teams, specialized foster care, healing homes, job readiness supports, and Skills4Life. With a strong foundation within the community and a focus on connection, unity, and compassion, the organization provides a vital link for youth and families in the province of Manitoba.

**SUMMARY**:The Outreach Worker will focus on providing outreach services for high-risk children and youth who are in danger of becoming or have become victims of sexual exploitation. The Outreach Worker is responsible for a combination of direct street outreach, investigation and tracking of high risk and at-risk youth. They must maintain good working relationships with partnering agencies such as the RCMP, relevant agencies, social workers, family members and caregivers.

This position requires a person with excellent awareness of the issues present for Sexually Exploited Children and Youth (SECY). Knowledge of the current stakeholders and existing outreach services are an asset.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- An excellent ability to develop working relationships with law enforcement, child welfare agencies and other key stakeholders
- Participate in community outreach activities in the priority neighborhoods, in partnership with other outreach services and RCMP.
- Engage and develop relationships with high-risk youth in their placements (group homes, foster homes, family homes) and at places they frequent (malls, drop-in centers, school grounds, street locations, etc.).
- Act as an advocate and provide general information and referral services to high-risk youth on addiction, health, housing, employment, education, recreation and other services.
- Educate and provide information on all specialized services for sexually exploited children and youth to Child Welfare Workers and parents.
- Respond to requests to locate and return children and youth that have been placed on High Risk Victims (HRV) list to placement or families, with assistance from the RCMP and other community members as needed.(Search children as required, search residences or businesses as required, transport children to child welfare placements or guardians residences, follow Health and Safety policies and standards, utilize radios to ensure immediate communication with other Outreach workers and Program Coordinator or Manager of SreetReach)
- Maintain detailed and accurate documentation as per policies and standards
- Maintain detailed and accurate statistics
- Identify and report predators/people sexually exploiting children/youth, as well as identify locations where children/youth are being sexually exploited.
- Work independently with little supervision while performing outreach activities and also as a cohesive member of a diverse team.
- Maintain up-to-date files and records of individuals served, outreach services provided and other general reporting as assigned.
- All other duties as outlined on the job description

**EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION**
- Degree or Diploma in social services, Diploma/Certificate in Child & Youth Care, or other relevant discipline with a minimum of three to four years' experience in front line work, including outreach services, other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Must have an understanding of the Child and Family Services Act as well as knowledge of provisions in CFS Act and Criminal Code of Canada in relation to Prostitution, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse offenses.
- Knowledge of child sexual exploitation, addiction issues, and other relevant health, justice and social issues faced by Indigenous children/youth.
- Knowledge of community agencies/programs that are considered specialized to work with exploited high-risk children/youth in the community.
- Proven, excellent written communication and documentation skills to maintain reports and client files along with documentation that may be required by law enforcement and child welfare agencies.
- Awareness of the high-risk communities/areas or places that children/youth are being exploited and or placed at risk
- An excellent ability to develop working relationships with law enforcement, child welfare agencies and other key stakeholders

**CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT**
- Must have excellent physical and emotional health.
- Must have Emergency First Aid and De-escalation training.
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Registry and acceptable Prior Contact checks
- Knowledge of Indigenous beliefs, customs, languages and traditions considered an asset.

**TYPE**:Full