Key Worker

**Hope and Area Transition Society Key Worker**:
The Key Worker Program provides support and education to promote change, encourage personal growth and enhance healthy families. Key Workers value working closely with the whole family to establish strong, healthy family relationships. For families who are experiencing a variety of challenges and concerns, this strength-based program is designed to build capacity and connect them with relevant services. Acting as a liaison with MCFD, through in-home and in-community visits, the program’s role is preventative in nature, aiming to atop the escalation of situations to a point where more intrusive interventions would be required. The service approach includes Integrated Case Management involving Ministry of Children and Family staff and other services or stakeholders involved with the child, youth and their family.

**KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILTIES**

1. Maintains knowledge of community resources locally, regionally and provincially.

2. Understands the socio-economic conditions of Hope and how these impact on the community and families lives.

3. Key workers are focused on the needs of the children and youth but are sensitive to family dynamics and parental support needs.

4. Engages in building personal, parental and family capacity and empowering parents to guide and support their children and youth appropriately and safely.

5. Facilitates Safe & Supported Visits between children and their families as instructed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

6. Referrals to other support services to address the needs determined by the assessment process and collaborate with other services and workers in the best interest of the family such as parenting programs that support identified needs such as ADHD, aggression, ODD, poor academic performance etc. Emphasis will be placed on connections to other community supports and collaboration.

7. Participates in committees, community and task groups, and/or program initiatives by methods such as providing relevant material, acting as advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support.

8. Maintains and compiles statistics and detailed case notes as determined by the Ministry of Children and Family Services and Hope and Area Transition Society.

9. Assists in the transition and transitional planning as a family moves through the identified services as outlined in their care plan.

10. Participates in staff training sessions and meetings, public education forums, seminars and conferences relevant to specific program areas. May engage in prevention activities involving networking, consultation, public relations, etc.

11. Performs other related duties as required.

**Education**:
A post-secondary degree in the human services field or the equivalent education and experience.

**Experience & Training**:
At least two years’ experience in the provision of services to high risk children, youth and their families is required.

**Job Skills & Abilities**:
1. Excellent interpersonal behavior and communication skills

2. Good organization, time and general management skills

3. Well developed written and verbal communication skills

4. Team orientated approach to leadership and a commitment to the community

6. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and to recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of children, youth and their families

7. Ability to organize, prioritize and work under pressure with interruptions and be able to adapt to various changes

8. Motivation and initiative

9. Be able to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team

10. Be able to write reports and correspondence

11. Basic computer skills and operating systems, such as word and excel

12. Successful completion of a standard criminal record check

**Physical Demands**:
Sitting for prolonged periods of time with children, youth and their families will be required. Flexible working styles and hours to meet the needs of the families such as evenings and weekends is essential. Initial contact with a family requiring this service will typically be within one business day.

**Working Conditions**:
Hours of work will be determined by the Executive Director and may be conducted outside of normal office hours, depending upon clients’ need. Any additional flex time will be reviewed with the Executive Director to determine time off to be taken.

**Mental Demands**:
The job involves psychological and mental demands in relation to working with children, youth and their families who have a various set of needs and challenges such as, but not limited to, alcohol and drug abuse issues, mental health issues, and other related social issues. Listening and supporting clients for prolonged periods of time.

The job involves verbal and written communication within the staff team and with local agencies. Ability to document and relay information in a concise and efficient manner is vital.

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