Child and Family Support Worker

Sqwá (Skwah) First Nation
Phone: 604.792.9204
Fax: 604.792.1093
P.O. Box 178
Chilliwack, BC, V2P 6H7
Sqwá First Nation Family Support - Employment Opportunity
Sqwá First Nation is seeking to fill the position of a Sqwá First Nation Family Representative. The Family Representative provides advocacy and support to families who are involved with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or Xyólheméylh - Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (designated agencies) to ensure that the rights of Sqwá children and families are respected. The Family Representative represents all Sqwá First Nation membership children, regardless of location, before the courts; will ensure the heritage, cultural traditions, identity, and rights of Sqwá First Nation children are protected and preserved by all parties involved in child welfare matters. The Family Representative will be responsible for exploring the readiness to exercise Sqwá First Nation jurisdiction over Child and Family Services (CFS) and in developing the Child and Family Service programs prior to entering into coordination and agreement discussions. The Family Representative will engage with child and family services providers and participate in child and family service matters as set out in provincial, territorial, and federal child and family services laws.
Reporting Relationship: This position will be under the supervision of the Sqwá Chief Executive Officer and will receive direction and guidance from the Sqwá Designated Representative, Chief and Council and the Children and Family Services Committee.

**Responsibilities**:
Serve as the main contact between a Sqwá First Nation and child and family service providers
Ensuring that child and family service providers address needs of Sqwá First Nation children, youth, and families, including needs tied to culture, land and geography, and the effects of historical and contemporary disadvantages
Building and maintaining meaningful cultural, family, and community connections for Sqwá First Nation children, youth, and families involved with the child and family services system
Facilitating the reunification of Sqwá First Nation children and youth in care with their family
Supporting Sqwá First Nation children, youth, and families involved/at risk of involvement with the child and family services system outside of their home communities, including working across different regions and jurisdictions
Supporting Sqwá First Nation youth and young adults with post-majority care
Participating in child and family services administrative processes and court proceedings
Accessing legal resources to represent the Sqwá First Nation’s interests in child and family services administrative and court proceedings
Receiving and responding to notices under provincial, territorial, and federal child and family services laws
Helping families access prevention supports
Supporting customary care; kinship care, and alternative care arrangements
Providing or arranging alternative dispute resolution (circle processes, Indigenous approaches)
Monitoring agreements with child and family services providers pertaining to individual children, youth, and families
Participating in the development and monitoring of services plans with child and family service providers (safety planning, permanency planning, after care plans, youth transition/ post-majority care plans)
Complete and submit program internal and external reporting, as necessary
Participate in overall Sqwá policy development and decision making related to children and family services
Develop, implement, and ensure compliance with Sqwá First Nation Family Representative policies and practices.
Support with the management of Sqwá First Nation Representative budgets and expenditures
Support with meeting coordination, Agenda development and meeting notes for the Sqwá Children and Family Committee, Xyolhemeylh meetings, and other relevant meetings
Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Sqwá Chief Executive Officer
Knowledge and Experience:
Certificate/Diploma or higher in a related field such as Social Work, Human Justice, Law, or related fields
Strong planning, community mobilization and inter-cultural communication
Prior experience within human services (2+ Years)
Prior experience working in management (1+ Years)
Excellent organization, problem-solving, and time management skills
Strong commitment to confidentiality
Able to work efficiently as part of a team as well as independently
Must possess a valid Class 5 Driver’s License
Current CPIC and Vulnerable Sector Check
Knowledge of Act 92
Knowledge of First Nation policies and legislations, AOPSI, the B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act, and other relevant legislation
Experience working in First Nations communities
Knowledge and understanding of First Nations issues such as Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop and Government policy on First Nations
Knowledge and understa