Family Engagement Worker

**Job Summary**:
Reporting to the Program Coordinator and Team Leader, this position supports parents in learning new parenting skills and establishing household routines. A key component of this job is to set goals in conjunction with the family and referring social worker (if applicable). Facilitating and supporting visits between parents and their children is a key component of this position.

**Reports to**:Program Coordinator and Child and Family Development Team Leader

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Conducts intakes with parents and referring Social Worker.
- Gathers information relevant to the client’s challenges, needs and risks by interviewing, observing behaviour, meeting with caregivers and service providers and using Signs of Safety inventories to record and assess these and identify strengths, challenges and areas of concern.
- Provides support, guidance and problem-solving to clients to address issues related to parenting and family functioning using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution and basic group counselling techniques to resolve the identified areas of concern.
- Participates in the development, modification and evaluation of client service plans with the integrated case management system. Participates in integrated case management meetings on a regular basis to report clients’ activities and progress.
- Determines the level of knowledge/awareness of the parent (i.e., skills, childhood development) and supports with hands-on suggestions.
- Meets with clients in their own homes and in the community to establish routines and connect with community service providers, resources and other professionals as needed.
- Evaluates client’s needs and develops plans to meet such needs. Ensures that clients and/or their families actively participate in the program planning.
- Provides parenting skill building to clients on issues such as parent-child interaction, child development, discipline, and guidance, and behaviour management. Provides emotional support and feedback to clients.
- Goal setting is done in conjunction with the family and referring social worker. Assessing children’s development and parent’s abilities.
- Recognizes concerns and emergency situations, analyzes situations accurately and develops strategies to deal with such situations. Reports all concerns to the team leader. If it is a protection concern the worker will notify the intake social worker immediately.
- Reviews and evaluates client’s progress and adjusts programs as required. Provides feedback and support to clients and/or their families and social workers.
- Plans, coordinates and schedules supported visits in consultation with all participating parties.
- Provides family and cultural connection activities and resources for parents and children during scheduled family visits.
- Supports program participants in accessing culturally focused activities and teachings offered by the agency, as appropriate.
- Observes and monitors appearance, condition, and behaviour of family members in order to maintain a safe and healthy supported visit. Report any concerns to program coordinator and referring social worker.
- Observes and objectively documents supported visits and interactions. Supporting parents to follow the visit terms and conditions.
- Maintains written reports regarding clients’ progress as well as case notes. Ensures that all required documentation is complete and accurate.
- Identifies community resources that will meet clients’ needs. Provides liaisons with other agencies, professionals, and government officials in the community.
- In collaboration with team members, the Family Engagement Worker will facilitate a weekly support circle to build capacity in parents who are involved with the Child Health and Wellbeing system.
- Providing and/or arranging transportation for clients as needed.
- Consults with the Team Leader on a regular basis.
- Performs other duties as required.

**Job Requirements**
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in related human/social services, early childhood education, child and youth care or related field or the equivalent education and experience is typically required for this position
- At least one (1) year recent experience working with Indigenous children and parents is required. Direct program delivery experience is required specifically in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of the community-based program and related provincial and community support is preferred.
- Specific program legislation/policies, provincial and other government frameworks and systems, labor relations or professional knowledge may be required.

**Job Skills and Abilities**:

- Good knowledge of Indigenous issues
- Understanding of drug and alcohol issues and the impact on the families
- Excellent oral, written facilitation and interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrated teamwork skills.
- Good time and general management skills
- Ability