Duties & Responsibilities

• Recruits, screens and assesses foster home applicants
• Manages and supervises a caseload of foster families
• Assesses children and foster families regarding their level of functioning; compatibility, need for support and required resources/services within the assigned community
• Assists in developing a service plan for children requiring foster care resources in conjunction with the case worker
• Supervises the foster family in accordance with the child specific case plan in conjunction with the child protection social worker
• Provides counseling and crisis intervention services for foster families within the assigned community;
• Receives and assesses requests for placements
• Directs and co-ordinates placement and discharge of children into and from placement resources on both a planned and crisis basis;
• Facilitates communication, including problem-solving, between foster parents and the Agency and advocates for foster parents, when necessary
• Completes foster home reviews and makes recommendation for approval and further use, development, suspension or closure of foster home
• Completes foster home studies using a range of casework intervention to counsel out unsuccessful applicants
• Participates in following up recommendations where inappropriate case and/or discipline of foster children is concerned
• Develops, provides and/or facilitates an orientation program for potential foster family
• Assists foster parents to successfully terminate and conclude their fostering career
• Interprets and instructs foster parents on Agency policy and procedures
• Other duties pertaining to the alternate care department as assigned

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Bachelor of Social Work or a post-secondary degree in the Social Sciences preferred; Other acceptable combinations of related education and work experience may be considered;
• Minimum of two (2) years of Child Welfare experience in front line case management dealing with children and families;
• Experience conducting investigations including gathering and analyzing information to implement appropriate action;
• Knowledge of The Child and Family Services Act, The Authorities Act and The Adoption Act;
• Thorough knowledge of the governing and delivery of child protection programming in Manitoba;
• Demonstrated awareness of aboriginal child welfare practices; and a working knowledge of First Nations history, colonization;
• Demonstrated skills in the following areas: crisis intervention; child protection investigations; the ability to assess high risk situations to determine appropriate response times as per standards.
• Knowledge of substance abuse, family violence, child abuse/neglect and community resources;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to work within a team environment and independently;
• Ability to organize, prioritize and work effectively to meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to deal with grief and loss issues;
• Ability to de-escalate conflict and provide resolution;
• Excellent verbal communication skills;
• Strong written communication skills and ability to pay attention to detail when preparing documents and comprehensive reports;
• Proficient with computer programs such as Microsoft Word; CFSIS experience would be an asset.

Conditions of Employment

• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Candidate must also be willing to travel to and work with the designated First Nation Community for the position;
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check, Child Abuse, Adult Abuse Registry checks is a requirement of all SECFS employment positions.

How To Apply

We thank all who apply, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

SUBMIT BY EMAIL OR FAX

Forward your resume (with 3 references) and cover letter stating clearly how you meet the qualifications stated in this job posting. Please cite the competition number and position in the subject line when submitting by email or fax.

Email: tamara.cardinal@secfs.org
Fax: (204) 947-0009