Family Service Worker

**_Note, please visit binnoojiiyag.ca/careers for the full job description_**

This position provides short and long-term services to families that have been identified as having issues of child protection risk by the Child, Youth, and Family Services Act. This position conducts assessments of risk in addition to providing a varied degree of intervention services to families and their children who are having trouble in family functioning. The Family Service Worker is the case manager who holds primary responsibility in the shared decision-making related to child admissions, discharge from Children’s Aid Society care, etc. in collaboration with the service team and the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representatives. On First Nations territory, the Family Service Worker may carry a generic caseload, and carry out the duties of Assessment, Child and Youth Service Workers, and Alternative Care Worker.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Clinical**:
Reduces the risk of harm to children according to the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario, as follows:

- Develops a plan for risk reduction intervention, based on Comprehensive Assessments and Plans of Service as outlined in the Risk Assessment Model.
- Conducts investigations in ongoing child protection cases where there are new allegations of harm, including performing Safety Assessments and making Verification and Protection decisions.
- Where a child cannot remain safely within the home, shall first explore all options for apprehension using alternative dispute mechanisms, engage with parents and extended family to identify options, and work with the First Nations Designated Person or community representative to seek alternative plans to protect the child while maintaining involvement by parents, family, and community.
- Brings selected cases to Family Court to protect children when authorized to do so by the Executive Director.
- Develops and maintains effective and therapeutic casework relationships with clients to reduce the risk of harm to children.
- The incumbent is directly accountable for the provision and implementation of protective services to families and children within the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag catchment area by the Child, Youth, and Family Services Act, Ministry standards and guidelines, and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag policies and procedures.
- Performs both internal and external record checks, i.e., Fast Track, and Child Abuse Register.

**Court**:

- Prepares legal documentation (as required) ensuring accuracy and completion before the court.
- Prepares for, attends, and provides testimony in Family Court and Criminal Court.
- Prepares their clients for court.

**Administrative**:

- Has a strong working knowledge of all pertinent legislation, Ministry Standards and Guidelines, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services policy, procedures, and directives, and the Regional Protocol.
- Completes recordings within the timelines as outlined in the policy.
- Uses advocacy strategies on behalf of family members that ensure the child(ren) receives access to services within the community.
- Maintains effective professional working relationships with community collaterals.
- Attends team, departmental, and staff meetings.

**Education and Experience Requirements**:

- Bachelor of Social Work Degree; or
- BSW equivalency;
- An acceptable level of formal education and extensive direct service experience in Child Welfare, with a determination of what constitutes “acceptable” at the discretion of the Executive Director, with a plan for obtaining any necessary additional qualifications or training to be formalized in writing as part of the offer and acceptance of employment.
- Experience working within Child Welfare and/or Indigenous Child-Wellbeing settings would be considered an asset.

**TO APPLY**:

- Resume (include 3 supervisor references)
- Incomplete Applications will not be considered.
- Only those selected will be contacted for an interview.
- As an Indigenous Child Wellbeing Agency, we give priority to applicants who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and those with close affiliations.

**About Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services**:
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag (Nog-dah-wen-mawg) (Bin-ooh-zhee-yug) Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services is a multi-service Indigenous Child Well-Being Agency. We provide a stable foundation for children, youth, and families, through wraparound services that are culturally based and family-focused. We seek to support our families in the way they deserve, with care and authenticity, and by recognizing and respecting spirit. We form a wholistic, inclusive, and nonjudgmental circle of care. We seek to honour and support those we serve, with a constant commitment to growing our base of knowledge and expertise. Passionate about helping our communities and making them better, healthier places, we are committed to being open, honest, communicative partners with our