Job Summary:This position will offer services and supports to children, youth, and families involved with our agency. Services and supports will be tailored to the client's specific life stage, ensuring they receive the most relevant care and assistance. The delivery of services will be in alignment with the Child, Youth, and Family Services Act and the vision, mission, values, and overall strategic direction of CASSDG.
Core Competencies:Education:

• Community College Diploma, e.g., Child & Youth Care Worker, Social Service Worker, Early Childhood Education and/or Bachelor of Arts degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of direct service experience, e.g., residential/non-residential care, child welfare experience with youth.

Personal:

• Possession of a valid driver's license and insured vehicle to use for work purposes.
• As a requirement of employment, all applicants must have a Canadian Social Insurance Number.
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check.

Other:

• Preference will be given to those who identify as First Nations, Inuit and Métis; African Canadian/Black heritage; or other racially marginalized persons who meet the educational requirements, skills and competencies, or who have equivalent education and experience.
• The ability to communicate in both official languages will be a requirement for any position designated as French-essential under the French Language Services Act.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:Functional Duties:

• Have a clear understanding of the Children's Aid Society's child welfare mandate, the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) legislation and regulations that apply to the CYFW role, the Agency's strategic framework, Agency service policies and the Eligibility Spectrum (2021).
• Provide intensive support to children, youth and families/caregivers to improve family interaction, family functioning and promote reunification when children/youth are in out of home care or at risk of coming into care.
• Support, guide, and educate young parents in child development and guide developmental promotion.
• Work proactively with young parents during the period leading up to birth by identifying and mitigating potential needs and risks and providing pre-natal education.
• Provide case planning, case management and goal setting with children, youth and families, including and reflect this in timely contact logs and outcome plans.
• Assist in gathering identifying information about the family and their network, including any demographic information about children/youth, their families, and their social and family functioning, and make recommendations based on this information.
• Organize, facilitate and lead network and family meetings to build connections, safety plan, explore options and address concerns.
• Assist and support children, youth, and families in the development and strengthening of natural support networks to enhance immediate and long-term safety and stability.
• Assist youth in CCSY agreements to reach their full potential in education and their future by strengthening their life skills, sense of belonging and connections in preparation for their transition to adulthood.
• Assist youth in the creation of a budget, developing financial literacy skills and supporting financial independence.
• Collaborating on cases for court or other legal proceedings in consultation with the Agency's lawyer and the multi-disciplinary team. This may include preparing and presenting evidence and testifying in court.
• Research and implement resource material on identified topics (i.e., anger management, self-esteem with caregivers, children/youth) and develop and/or facilitate groups.
• Deliver/facilitate the Triple P program to individuals/groups in our community.
• Assist with quality family visits between caregivers and their children/youth and facilitate reintegration/reunification planning with the multi-disciplinary team.
• Support and coach biological, kin, adoptive and foster families in developing positive parenting strategies to strengthen the family unit and relationships.
• Be aware of roles and responsibilities under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and agency health and safety policies and performs duties in a manner that always ensures safety.
• Other duties as assigned to support children, youth and families.

Team Building/Interpersonal Duties:

• Attend training, workshops, group supervision and self-directed learning to develop skills and apply new learnings.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to contribute to ongoing risk assessments for children, youth and families and safety plan accordingly.
• Refer, collaborate, and attend case conferences with other child/youth protection agencies and community partners/professionals as required.

Skills and Attributes:Skills:

• Follows and implements Child Welfare legislation, standards, and Agency policies.
• Prioritizes competing demands and has good time management.
• Adapts to change and responds to changing circumstances and priorities in a professional manner.
• Understands the importance of accountability in their work and seeks out directions or consults as needed.
• Demonstrates transparency, respect, fairness, empathy and compassion.
• Demonstrates effective communication and engagement skills.
• Demonstrates cultural competency and sensitivity while working cross-culturally.
• Demonstrates self-awareness, recognizes their strengths and weaknesses, and understands how their beliefs impact their work.
• Implements feedback from supervision to improve their practice and clinical skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to support the distinct identities and cultures of Indigenous children and families we are involved with.
• Demonstrates skills in critical decision-making that are inclusive and collaborative.
• Demonstrates appropriate strategies to resolve conflict and de-escalate crisis situations in a professional and respectful manner, develops strategies and provides follow-up.
• Computer aptitude and proficiency.

Attributes:

• Understands their privilege, recognizes their bias, and integrates the Agency's mission, commitments and declarations into their work.
• Commits to improve, develop, and implement Truth and Reconciliation, anti-oppression and anti-racism practices in our organization.
• Advocates for family members, youth and children in community and clinical meetings.
• Understands the importance of and can cultivate effective, trust-based relationships with community partners.
• Understands the use of authority and uses it in an ethical and responsible manner.
• Understands the Agency's service delivery model and can implement this within their work.
• Welcomes the ideas, values, experiences and expertise of others and is committed and contributes positively to the team and the organization.

Efforts and Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed out of the office, as well as at a desk in a normal office environment with regular meetings with children, families and other professionals.
• Long periods of sitting and computer/phone use.
• Multi-tasks within a fast-paced, high-volume and demanding environment.
• Required to listen to and reconcile multiple points of view being discussed/presented.
• Frequent interruptions often dealing with critical issues.
• Frequent travel within the CASSDG region.
• May be exposed to potentially hazardous environments including driving conditions, volatile situations and risks associated with a standard office.
• Can work non-routine/flexible hours, and/or evenings; may be called into work in case of emergencies.
• Occasional lifting of children or heavy objects may be required.
• Regularly works in emotionally charged situations requiring resolution.