Family Support Worker

Reporting Relationship
The Family Support Worker will report to the Department Manager of Family Resources.

Position Summary
The Family Support Worker, on behalf of on-reserve MFN children, youth and families will assist in promoting community well-being by enabling and improving standard of living through community-based preservation programs with the inclusion of Anishinaabe culture and lifestyle. 

Essential Functions

• Establish supportive and trusting relationships that reduce risk, promote healthier lifestyles, and support children and youths’ connection, stability and attachment to the family and community
• Establish and maintain caring relationships and effective communication with parents, children and youth
• Practice strict confidentiality, privacy, ethical and non-bias approaches
• Conduct client intake and assessment procedures and work with clients to develop needs assessment and a plan of care to include physical, spiritual ,emotional, medical, schooling, self-identification, social, identified family needs; and ensure follow-up of aftercare plan(s)
• Conducts on-reserve CAS investigations and prepares required reports
• Receives referrals from on/off reserve professionals, agencies and self-referrals
• Liaise effectively with the Foster Care Program, CAS, biological/ foster parents and other service providers
• Responds and acts on inquiries and referrals in a timely and professional manner and maintains contact with CAS and other involved social service agencies to keep abreast of client cases
• Provide and participate in alternative dispute resolution and mediation
• Responds and intervenes in family crises situations where children require immediate attention and for the prevention of child abuse and neglect
• Encourage client engagement through various methods, counselling, and other support that will assist them in relevant aspects of the case plan including building self- motivation, goal setting and problem solving, family and peer relationships, mediation, substance misuse, behavioural self-control, self-efficacy, healthy lifestyle choices, and life skills development
• Provide advocacy, referral and community services as necessary to other helping services, treatment programs, support groups
• Provide follow-up and support in situations when appropriate or required
• Provide crisis intervention and support for youth and their families
• Perform as part of a team providing integrated, holistic services to children and young people and their families

Case Management/Administration

• Develop annual work plans to include professional development in relation to the position
• Ensures client records and files are current accurate, properly stored and secured ready for court subpoenas; and that files are properly closed
• Utilizes computer-based frontline case management system (Penlieu) for reporting requirements
• Follows through on case conferences and referrals from other services providers
• Coordinates and transports individuals to appointments as needed
• Assist youth in identifying and accessing educational and vocational resources, recreational pursuits, and other appropriate community contacts and resources

• Assists to plan, leads/co-leads, coordinates and evaluates group education, counselling and/or support activities for youth, parents and/or families
• Assists to coordinate and/or participate in activities with youth, including physical, outdoor, or other active elements
• Implements the procedures manual specific to the position ensuring compliance of privacy and confidentiality, and file management protocols
• Complete and submit monthly statistical and narrative reports
• Perform other duties as may be required from time to time by the Department Manager
• Attend staff and case management meetings as required
• Up-hold MFN protocol for child care, in conjunction with MFN By-Law 001/01

Qualification & Requirements

Preferred

• Bachelor of Social Work Degree in related field
• Education supported with 3 to 5 years work related experience within a First Nation community

Minimum

• Social Services Diploma, Native Child & Family Worker, Child & Youth Worker Diploma or Diploma in related field
• Experience in front-line service delivery of Native child and family services
• Ability to interpret and apply a wide range of Social Work practices and principles and Native based methods designed to help families achieve healthier lifestyles
• Ability to provide assessment, referral, counselling and follow-up services to clients
• Knowledge of the Child & Family Services Act is an asset
• Working knowledge and training in interviewing techniques for children and families
• Good understanding of conflict resolution and mediation processes
• Ability to engage children, relate with youth with understanding and in a strength-based approach
• Promote strong healthy family values
• Experience working with high-risk youth in a counselling or other helping capacity
• Experience in assisting the planning and leading of counselling or support groups

Other,

• Must have good working knowledge of community resources
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong decision making, analytical and problem solving skills for the unpredictable nature of work
• Knowledge and experience in involving families, community, community supports and other systems in case planning
• Have excellent time management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize to meet deadlines
• Understanding of client population, cultural and socio-economic characteristics
• Must have knowledge of Anishinaabe culture, traditions and customs
• Ability to speak and understand the Ojibwe language would be a strong asset
• Self-motivated, ability to work independently with minimal supervision and is a team player
• Willing to work flexible hours and weekends and ability to work under stressful situations
• Must have or be willing to obtain First Aid /CPR, Mental Health First Aid Certificates; Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI)
• Must have a valid “G” Driver’s Licence and current drivers abstract, reliable vehicle properly insured to transport individuals
• CRC/VSS requirement, thirty (30) days current, original or certified copy

CRC/VSS Rationale:  M’Chigeeng First Nation and its agents are in a position of trust in services to band member children and/or vulnerable adults, so a safe and secure working environment is mandatory.  Applicants must provide a clear VSS Certificate and the CRC must have a record clear and/or dated of any convictions relating to alcohol, drugs, assault, violence and theft.  The CRC and VSS must be current (30 days) and must be an Original.

Interested applicants must submit COVER LETTER, RESUME, THREE (3) CURRENT REFERENCES (2 Work-Related references from a direct supervisor/manager and 1-character reference that will be contacted upon a successful interview) and education certifications to:

FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER
employment@mchigeeng.ca
Human Resources
P.O. Box 333 M’CHIGEENG, ON P0P 1G0 (Fax 705-377-4980)
LATE OR INCOMPLETE applications will not be considered. Preference will be given to Anishinabek people.
For Job Description, please contact Human Resources employment@mchigeeng.ca