Family Service Worker

**Position**:Family Service Worker**
**Employment Type**:1 Full-Time Permanent Vacancy
**Location**:Barrie, ON
**Closing Date**:June 8, 2025

**Position Summary**:
Within the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services Service Model, the protection of children and youth is a total community responsibility, everyone has a role to play. Indigenous people have an inherent right and responsibility to raise children in ways that are consistent with traditional child-rearing practices. First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities retain the authority to fully participate in decisions regarding their children’s care and well-being. These partnerships are described in service agreements and protocols that the Family Service Worker respects and adheres to. The Family Service Worker plays an integral role in fostering positive outcomes for children, youth, and families who become involved in the child welfare system. This role is a primary contributor to the safety, resilience, and empowerment of Indigenous children, youth, and families. Specializing in risk assessment, intervention, and prevention from a wholistic and inclusive lens, the Family Service Worker strives to help families access resources and be empowered to overcome challenging situations. The Family Service Worker contributes to the strengthening of Indigenous families and honours the strengths and inherent capacities of Indigenous communities, utilizing culturally appropriate community-based services, internal resources, and as part of a team, to address the needs of Indigenous families.

**Responsibilities**:
**Assessment, Intervention & Prevention**:

- Receive and review referrals assigned from the Initial Assessment team and conduct thorough assessments to evaluate allegations of child abuse and/or neglect.
- Conduct assessments and investigations with cultural competence and sensitivity, recognizing and respecting the unique cultural contexts, traditions, and practices of Indigenous communities.
- Collaborates with families, community members and other sources (i.e., school personnel, police, and neighbours) to gather insights into the family's dynamics, strengths, challenges, and protective factors.
- Engages families in the assessment process and service planning, demonstrating respect for their input and recognizing strengths while addressing areas of concern.
- Review historical information if available.
- Identifies immediate and long-term risks, such as abuse, neglect, substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health issues, and environmental factors that may impact a child's well-being.
- Utilizes assessment tools and culturally adapted frameworks to evaluate the level of risk, considering the child's developmental needs, attachment relationships, and family history.
- Incorporates the socio-economic, historical, and cultural factors that may contribute to the identified risks including how systemic issues and intergenerational trauma might impact the family's situation.
- Develops service plans in collaboration with families and communities to mitigate immediate risks, identifying supportive measures that can be taken to ensure the child / youths safety while maintaining their connection to their culture, community, and family.
- Develops and maintains effective and therapeutic casework relationships, providing counselling for the child and the family, and conducting ongoing assessments of emerging strengths, any child protection issues, and the level of risk to children in the home.
- Maximizes the participation of other internal and external service providers, as appropriate, in the development and review of the service plan through facilitation of internal conferences, referrals, coordination among collateral service providers, and advocacy to ensure the receipt of appropriate and timely services.
- Leads, facilitates, and participates in consultations, family centered conferences, and case conferences with the client and service providers.
- Coordinate and monitor the provision of services, including counseling, parenting education, substance abuse treatment, mental health support, and more.
- Conducts investigations in ongoing child protection cases where there are new allegations of harm, including performing Safety Assessments and making Verification and Protection decisions.
- Conducts and participates in physical and sexual abuse investigations, as required.
- Continuously monitor and reassess the level of risk as circumstances evolve, adjusting intervention strategies and support plans accordingly.
- Propose interventions that are culturally appropriate, respectful, and aligned with the agency service model.
- Ensures that interventions are trauma-informed and prioritize the healing and well-being of the family.
- Where a child cannot remain safely within the home, the Family Service Worker will first explore all alternative options, engagement with parents and extended family, to identify options, and work with the First N