Guardianship and Permanency Social Worker

**Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services**
- **Guardianship & Permanency Planning Worker**_

**Overview**

Located on the traditional territories of the Lkwungen People, Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services’ (SCCFS) vision is to support the empowerment of the urban Indigenous community to continue the reclamation of traditional systems of caring for and protecting children so no child or youth will be placed into care. As an urban Delegated Indigenous Agency, SCCFS is committed to providing child and family services strongly rooted in Indigenous cultural values and world views while ensuring urban Indigenous children and youth grow up connected to family, community, and culture.

Surrounded by Cedar receives its delegation through the Provincial Director of Child Welfare, who gives the agency the authority to undertake administration of parts of the _Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)_. Under its current delegation agreement, Surrounded by Cedar administers C4 services (Guardianship).

SCCFS strives to be a culturally safe employer, with a keen focus on Indigenous recruitment and retention. While working at the agency, employees will be involved in various cultural knowledge sharing opportunities, activities, and ceremonies, while being actively engaged in urban Indigenous community events.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Guardianship & Permanency Planning Team Leader, the Guardianship & Permanency Planning Worker (GPPW) acts as legal guardian to urban Indigenous children and youth in the Continuing Care of the Director of Child Welfare. While focused on individual safety and well-being, the GPPW provides service that is strongly rooted in Indigenous cultural values and beliefs, ensuring urban Indigenous children and youth in care remain connected to their families, communities and cultures. Permanency plans are established in a timely manner and youth are prepared and supported to transition out of care at the age of 19. The GPPW also provides support to youth accessing the Youth Agreements (YAG) program as well as young adults accessing the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) Program.

**Primary Responsibilities**
- Provide child welfare services strongly rooted in Indigenous cultural values and beliefs while nurturing the cultural and spiritual identities of urban Indigenous children/youth in Continuing Care.
- Act as legal guardian to urban Indigenous children/youth in care whose ancestors come from Nations across Turtle Island with a focus on relational, cultural, physical, and legal permanency.
- Support youth accessing the Youth Agreements (YAG) program and young adults accessing the Agreements with Young Adults (AYA) program.
- Build trusting relationships with the child/youth’s circle, including family members, community members, Indigenous communities, and other organizations.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities**
- Knowledge of the history of Indigenous people in Canada and the impact of historic and intergenerational trauma. Respectful for Indigenous people and culture.
- Ability to connect in a meaningful way with urban Indigenous children and youth who have been placed in the Continuing Care of the Director, focusing on establishing a positive mentoring relationship that will create opportunity for children/youth to express themselves and their needs.
- Knowledge of resources available to urban Indigenous clients and how to access them.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a respectful and collaborative way with team members, knowledge keepers, children/youth, extended family members, Nations, caregivers, and various agencies within the community.
- Ability to work with clients, birth family members and community members from a trauma informed practice approach and promote healing opportunities for children and families.
- Skilled at conflict resolution with an ability to de-escalate challenging and sometimes volatile situations using traditional and mainstream approaches.
- Strong understanding of the _Child Family and Community Service Act _and relevant legislation and standards.

**Training, Education, and Experience**
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Child & Youth Care or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and at least 2 years of Indigenous child welfare experience
- Current C4 delegation in British Columbia (or have been delegated in the last 2 years) is considered an asset and may be given preference
- Experience working with children, youth and young adults who experience multiple barriers (multiple placements, homelessness, poverty, mental health, addiction, trauma etc.).
- Experience working within the urban Indigenous community or with urban Indigenous children, youth and families is preferred.
- Current B.C. Class 5 Driver’s license, satisfactory driver’s abstract, adequate vehicle insurance including business coverage and access to a safe reliable vehicle.

**Other Requirements**
- Availability Monday to Friday