Child and Family Services of Grand Erie (CFS GE) believes that child welfare is a shared responsibility with our community partners and strives to work collaboratively with families and the community to offer a variety of supports and services.

Our goal is to keep the family unit intact by helping the family access the supports and resources they need to keep their children safe.

We seek both formal and informal supports, including kin and kith to help care for children as the least intrusive measures.

Even in cases where, as a last resort, children have had to reside with an alternate caregiver, our aim is to return the children to their primary caregivers as soon as possible.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT : Full-time Contract (12 months), unionized

START DATE : To be determined

HOME LOCATION : Brantford with travel to Townsend location and within the Community (travel within the agency’s jurisdiction is required)

All applicants must have a First Nations, Metis or Inuit background and / or enhanced knowledge of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit culture including but not limited to the impact of colonization, residential schools and intergenerational trauma.

This posting has been designated under article 11.05 of the collective agreement as a position to be filled by a candidate from an equity deserving group (Indigenous).

Under the general supervision of the Child Welfare Manager, the Family Visit and Support Worker is responsible for providing administrative and service functions within the child welfare service department.

The Family Visit and Support Worker will assist Child Protection Workers with a variety of tasks inclusive of instrumental support to protection.

This position will be required to work at the Townsend office, Brantford locations and out in the community across the agency’s jurisdiction.

To respond to service delivery needs and based on a flexible work schedule, this position is required to work into the evenings, at minimum, two days per week.

Under Supervision of the Child Welfare Manager :

Family Visit and Support Worker Responsibilities :

• Supervising family visits. This includes supporting, modelling, and providing information to caregivers.
• Greet caregivers and children, and provide level of supervision required for family, supervise duration of visit, facilitate goodbyes between caregivers and children.
• Document observations of visit and follow up with assigned worker as needed.
• Complete all documentation in an organized, logical, easily understood, concise manner, that is suitable to the audience.
• Assist clients with resources within the community.
• Reviewing forms, case documentation and information in electronic files.
• Providing in-home parent education and support in collaboration with the assigned Child Protection Worker.
• Assisting with coverage of other duties of the Child Protection Worker who may be temporarily unavailable due to other demands such as Court or training.
• Provide information and referrals to community organizations to support family needs.
• Communication with assigned Child Protection Workers about family and trajectory within the program.
• At times, coordinating family visits; notification to all parties if cancellation of visits.
• At times, transporting clients to and from their visits.
• Provide coverage to the Supervised Access and Drive Coordinator as assigned.
• Various other tasks as may be assigned from time to time.

As a condition of hire, selected candidates will be required to provide :

• Consent for Police - Vulnerable Records Check- Results must be satisfactory to the employer.
• Consent for Child Welfare check - Results must be satisfactory to the employer.
• Must have a valid Ontario G class driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

Please include your resume and cover letter in your HigherMe application.

Closing Date : October 10th, 2024, @4 : 30PM EST.

Child and Family Services of Grand Erie is committed to working from an Anti-Oppressive and Equity practice and is dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve.

If you don’t see yourself fully represented in each requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Research has shown individuals from underrepresented groups may only apply when they feel 100% qualified. We are committed to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization and we strongly encourage all applicants with diverse identities and lived experiences to apply and to please self-identify in their cover letter.

We are committed to creating an accessible environment for all. Please let us know if you have any accommodation needs. We thank all applicants;

however only those considered for interviews will be contacted.

Self-Identify as First Nations, Metis, or Inuit

• Strong oral / written communication skills
• B.A. (Human Services) or B.A. with relevant experience
• Valid Ontario driver’s license in good standing, and available vehicle
• Ability to work with children adolescents and families
• Ability to work co-operatively within a team setting
• Ability to use authority constructively in potentially chaotic or conflicted situations
• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to adjust to daily change of routine
• Ability to gather information, communicate with clients and community partners
• Ability to operate computer and word processing equipment
• Committed to AOP values of justice, equity, respect of the beliefs and traditions of others
• Knowledge of anti-black racism
• Knowledge of the impact of residential school and colonization, and Indigenous practices
• Committed to community based philosophy
• Committed to including the voice of children / youth and families as part of our service planning and delivery
• Willing to undergo a valid Police Records Check and Vulnerable Records Check upon hire
• Willing to undergo a Child Welfare Check upon hire
• Must have a valid Ontario Class "G" driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle