Family Service Worker

**JOB SUMMARY**
The Family Service Worker is part of the Integrated Family Service Team. This position provides direct support and service to parents and works with family situations of those with children under 12. The primary goal of this work is to reduce risks to children and strengthen family functioning. This position includes working within the following programs:

- **C’Nex Intensive Parenting Program** - an intensive parenting program aimed at supporting high-risk families referred through MCFD.
- **Community Outreach** - provide both short and long term support to community families by providing the necessary information, resources, and life skills. Referrals are provided through a variety of sources: community, MCFD, Public Health, or self-referral.
- **BGCA Program Support** - provides support to families participating in other BGCA programs such as Homeless Family Outreach, Family Self Sufficiency, Out of School Care, 0 to 6 Family Center programs, and Family Dinner.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Minimum of Bachelor Degree in Child and Youth Care or Social Work required
- Extensive experience working with high risk families to mitigate Child Protection concerns and increase capacity of parenting role.
- Demonstrated experience providing support services to families in their home and community
- Comprehensive knowledge of issues impacting families
- Thorough understanding of the cycle of poverty
- Thorough understanding of intimate partner violence and the effects on the family
- Practice in an Integrated Case Management Model
- Extensive experience and thorough understanding of the child welfare system
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Extensive knowledge of resources and services in the Greater Victoria area.
- Experience as a group facilitator or co-facilitator preferred
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with MCFD Social Workers and other community partners
- Ability to support program by participating on various committees and community partnership meetings
- Strong writing, file management, and computer skills
- Valid **Unrestricted Class 5** driver’s license and reliable vehicle
- Valid First Aid certification

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**

Family Support and Outreach:

- Works with parents /families to identify strengths, determine needs, identify required resources, support referrals, and assist with service navigation
- Communicate and case manage with parents/caregivers, MCFD, school counsellors, & other community professionals
- Provide individualized support to families in their homes and community
- Provide information, 1:1 support and telephone support to community families needing assistance
- Demonstrated ability to assess family’s functioning and risks to children
- Assist family to identify supportive network of individuals
- Assist families to meet identified goals and promote safe, healthy family life.
- Support children in care to return safely home and support children at risk to remain at home
- Engage with families to increase self-sufficiency and develop capacity for positive parenting
- Provide crisis intervention
- Model child focused and healthy parenting
- Provide support to families connected to other BGCA programs
- Attend Community Dinner - offering support to community families where necessary
- Prepare meals/snacks for families attending C’Nex program

Group Facilitation:

- Work with other staff to plan, implement, and co-facilitate support and education groups for parents and children
- Model and teach parenting skills and play techniques to group members as well as provide opportunity for parents to learn from each other
- Encourage families within the group to support one another and to identify other community supports
- Provide and model conflict resolution skills
- Evaluate effectiveness of group sessions with families weekly
- Facilitate C’Nex Colour Wheel Assessment to establish strengths and risks and set goals to reduce risks to children, and diminish barriers for successful family functioning.

Administration:

- Ensure accurate program and family files are maintained and that confidentiality is a priority; ensure all pertinent documentation is completed and case-notes maintained after each interaction.
- Maintain records of group attendance and progress data.
- Record and maintain all necessary statistical data relating to program.
- Record monthly flexible spending funds and the impact on individual families related to the goals
- Participate in program development and evaluation of C’Nex program.
- Maintain the C’Nex Program database and ensure all data is current and accurate.
- Liaise with university and college to supervise practicum placements
- Maintains a thorough knowledge of community resources and utilizes such resources appropriately to meet the needs of families and individuals
- Attends agency meetings as scheduled
- Other duties as assigned

**HOURS OF WORK & COMPENSATION**

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