Resource Placement Worker

**Hours: 35 hrs/wk.**

**Range: $34.50- $54.01 per hour.**

**Location: 30 College St., Toronto**

**Classification: Full-Time 1-year Contract (Maternity Leave)**

**Position: Unionized**

**Summary**:
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto strives to provide a life of quality, well-being, caring and healing for our children and families in the Toronto Indigenous Community. We do this by creating a service model that is culture-based and respects the values of Native people, the extended family, and the right to self-determination and through the integration of holistic, culturally based prevention services that are child centred, family focused, and community driven.

At Native Child, we are guided by our purpose: Honoring Our Roots, Embracing Our Future. We are inspired to be and do our best, recognizing the profound impact we have on our communities, our people, and our shared heritage. Our commitment to preserving and celebrating Indigenous culture drives us to be a leading force in our region. Here, you are welcomed into an inclusive and supportive environment that values each individual's contributions and fosters collective success.

**Purpose**: To facilitate and assess placement needs of the children and youth who require out-of-home care. To manage, coordinate, and evaluate the Society’s internal foster care and emergency placement resources, and external use of outside paid resources (OPRs), in order to ensure children and youth are receiving high standards of care.

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Secure appropriate placements for children on an emergency and planned basis
- Ensures placement matching best meets the child or youth’s current and historical needs
- Conduct site visits when a new OPR is being considered or has been utilized for a child/youth.
- Complete organizational reviews and assessment about the strengths and weaknesses of OPR’s.
- Monitor and address any quality assurance issues that arise in OPR’s in a timely manner.
- Prepare referral documentation for OPR placements.
- Consults with Supervisor while negotiating terms and conditions of OPR placements.
- Maintain and analyze statistical data to project program trends and recruitment needs.
- Maintain a system for tracking placement vaccines with the internal foster care system.
- Participate in consultations and case conferences with service providers to discuss placement and service needs of the child in an effort to prevent and reduce placement disruption.
- Maintain Resource Service Agreements ensuring they are updated and adhered to as required.
- Schedule and facilitate Placement Review Meetings as required.
- Actively participate in external committee meetings as required.
- Prepare, distribute and track all Special Care Needs Agreements
- Prepare reports on Placement/OPR statistical data as needed.
- Completes documentation supporting the placement selection for each child or youth.
- Follows policies and procedures to facilitate culturally appropriate decision making.
- Provides Duty coverage for the Resource Team as needed.
- Ensure all required documentation and case notes are written and maintained in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Performs other duties, as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS**:

- BSW or equivalent degree in a social services field with a minimum of 2 years experience in a child welfare setting.
- Minimum 3 years direct working experience in child and youth welfare combined with education and formal training would be considered.
- Practical knowledge of Child and Family Services Act, Ministry legislation, and standards in foster and residential care
- Strong and solid clinical and critical assessments skills related to the varied developmental, behavioural and emotional needs.
- Working knowledge of trauma informed and attachment practices.
- Clinical understanding and working knowledge of matching children and potential homes.
- Understanding of the impact of apprehensions on family dynamic, child development, and resiliency
- Sound knowledge of the varied alternative care settings: resource homes, Outside Paid Resource (OPR) programs, supports and services.
- Sound knowledge of alternative care developmental services and agencies
- Familiar with the Ministry of Community and Social Services/Ministry of Child and Youth Services Service Resolution Program
- Knowledge of NCFST standards, policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of family dynamics, human growth and behaviour, normal psychological child development.
- Knowledge and awareness of the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the Native population in the City of Toronto.
- Strong analytical and statistical skills to prepare placement reports.
- Strong time management, problem solving, crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills
- Team skills to work collaboratively with both internal and external professionals.
- Ability to manage and secure emergency placements under tight time constraints