Family Support Worker

Agassiz-Harrison Community Services Society

Family Support Worker

Internal/External Job Posting

The Family Support Worker is responsible for social assessments in the agency, community and home setting; determining and predetermining eligibility for selected services; counselling clients as to services available; preparing treatment/action plans in conjunction with other professional staff; and following the progress of clients receiving social and other appropriate services.

The Family Support Worker provides opportunities for the personal and social development of families. Family Support aims to restore inequalities and empower individuals and families to understand and take action on issues affecting their lives, from health and education to unemployment. The focus is a multi-faceted approach of contact, advocacy, prevention, intervention and program development, tackling issues of social inclusion and building safer communities, while still responding to the needs and interests of families. Professionalism is used to build trusting relationships and offer genuine support.

**Education and Experience**:
Position requires a bachelor university degree in social work, counselling or related field. Minimum two years recent related experience working with vulnerable children and families. Direct program delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of government and community-based programs and related provincial and community support systems.

**Job Skills**:
Must possess knowledge of human development and demonstrated ability to work with children and families; knowledge of intervention techniques involving issues of physical, sexual and substance abuse; knowledge of family systems, and attachment theories; possess well developed interpersonal, counselling/mediation, oral and written communication skills; proficient teaching skills; temperamentally and emotionally capable of empowering the client family; ability to work effectively with other program staff including therapists, social workers, and other related staff; good organization, time, and general management skills; must be able to work independently.

**Additional Information**:
This position requires staff to work in a stressful environment and deal with clients in crisis situations. Managing difficult or emergency situations is an ongoing expectation of this position. Family Support Workers might work outside the office (in client’s homes, in the community, or at care team functions).

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Assess client strengths, needs, abilities and preferences and develops an intervention plan. Directs family members and/or individuals toward appropriate and beneficial use of personal resources, community resources, and support networks.
- Implements counselling/mediation intervention strategies to assist clients in determining goals and the means of attaining them. Prepares, jointly with the family and the referring agency, a care plan. Participates in the implementation of the care plan.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of support services and client’s progress. Resolves identified problems and moves to defining objectives.
- Communicates and consults with social workers, school personnel, mental health, other workers, and foster caregivers with regard to the family’s progress and program goals, to facilitate a supportive unified approach to the family.
- Provides life skills and parenting training. Teaches clients effective social and interpersonal skills through tasks of daily living, recreational and social activities.
- Acts as an advocate for the client family; provides support for them while client is in the program and, as appropriate, provides follow up to them upon leaving the program. May accompany client to appointments.
- Maintains accurate reports and records on clients and provides family functioning assessment reports to the Team Leader for submission to the contractor. Ensures that all required documentation is complete. Reports to and discusses case planning and concerns with the Team Leader.
- Ensures that program standards, guidelines and policies of the organization are maintained. Actively participates in evaluating the program for effectiveness. Provides suggestions to modify programs to Team Leader.
- Maintains a thorough knowledge of community resources to clients’ needs. Provides liaison, education and advocacy to other professionals, other agencies and the community.
- Participates in staff professional development/training, supervision and administrative meetings as scheduled as well as attends monthly team and staff meetings.
- Performs other relevant duties as required.

**Other requirements**:

- Criminal Record Check with vulnerable populations enhancement
- Valid driver’s license and drivers abstract
- Reliable vehicle as occasional local travel is required

Hours of work: full time
Start pay rate per hour: $ 26.44

Please submit res