Child Welfare Protection Worker

The purpose of this position is:

- To provide leadership in ensuring the well-being of the children of the Curve Lake First Nation, and to provide services for the protection, care and supervision of children.
- To ensure the availability of, and access to, developmental, counseling and family/ child support programs and services for the Curve Lake First Nation.
- To assist in monitoring the effectiveness of the programs and services available to the children of the Curve Lake First Nation, and to assist in the developmental and maintenance of child welfare services documentation.

**DUTIES**:
The duties and responsibilities of this position are categorized into five main functions:
1. Case Management
- Ensure client files are complete and accurate
- Coordinate and facilitate customary care placements and prepare all required documents, supporting the child and family throughout the admission process
- Communicate regularly with Manager of Health and Family Services regarding client progress
- Provide crisis intervention and behaviour management techniques
- Ensure confidentiality of all clients (past and present) is maintained
- Identify and consult on accessing special programs as required
- Monitor, motivate and assist clients to meet their goals
- Participate in case meetings as applicable
- Make referrals to outside agencies
- Submit monthly client progress summary to Manager of Health and Family Services
- Ensure ongoing management of cases in accordance with First Nation standards and Ministry Child Protection standards
- Develop links with relevant communities on and off reserve to explore service options and strategies to address issues affecting First Nations children and families

2. Court
- Ensure accuracy, completion and proper filing of documents
- Ensure legislative requirements and timelines for serving notices are met
- Assists clients in preparation for court
- Prepares and presents evidence for Family Court when required
- Acts as a witness in child welfare, criminal and juvenile court matters

3. Investigations and Interventions
- Investigates and assesses allegations of child abuse and/or maltreatment
- Intervenes in crisis situations, assesses risk to children and determines action which may include the need for alternative placement
- Maintains current and comprehensive social history of the family on the case file

4. Support and Activities for Clients
- Involves clients/children in ongoing planning when possible
- Completes admission to care documentation and child background information forms for placement purposes
- Respond to holistic needs and recognizes a child’s need for the support of extended family and First Nation community
- Maintains involvement of the natural parent and extended family where possible
- Supervises access visits between children in care and parents/caregivers when required
- Ensures natural parents receive assistance in addressing family healing so a child can be returned to home when possible
- Ensures live skills are learned through appropriate placement and support of placement

5. Administration
- Receive designation as an authorized Child Protection Worker
- Collect information for statistical purposes specific to clients and program
- Review reports to ensure information is complete and accurate
- Address critical incidents as per internal reporting mechanisms
- Participate in staff development activities as required
- Maintain accurate and complete verbal and written exchange of information to represent all activities while on duty (logs and reports)
- Participate actively in the case management process
- Prepare accurate and professional client case notes
- Attend and sit on community and organizational committees as requested
- Provide after hours services when required
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the Manager of Health & Family Services

**QUALIFICATIONS**:Basic Requirements**: (APPLICANTS MUST SHOW NECESSARY PROOF WITH APPLICATION OR WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SCREENED OUT)**

**EDUCATION**:

- A University degree in Social Work or related field with minimum 2 years directly related work experience
- A College diploma in Social Services or related field with minimum 5 years related work experience

**RATED REQUIREMENTS**:
**Knowledge, Skills & Abilities**:

- Expert knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act, Child Protection Standards, Ministry of Children and Youth Services Regulations, Guidelines and Policy Directives
- Knowledge of Customary Care and the philosophy of service development/delivery with First Nations
- Knowledge of relevant legislative framework and policies reflecting current child welfare practice; including Federal legislation, First Nations specific case law, Indigenous rulings /declarations, traditional approaches and specific rulings about First Nation, Inuit, and Metis Children
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of First Nation history and culture and the history of Child Welfare as it pertains