Out of Care Options Social Worker
Position: Out of Care Options (OOCO) Social Worker
Status: Regular Full-time
Department: Child Safety
Location: 2020 Yukon Street, Vancouver BC
Classification: Delegated Social Worker (Grid 21-24) +1TMA
Salary: $69,760.70 to $89,268.45 annually
At VACFSS, we ensure that the rights, safety, well-being and spirit of Indigenous children and families are upheld, honored and protected. We strive to eliminate oppression, discrimination and marginalization within our community. We acknowledge and honor the inherent wisdom, capacity and resourcefulness of our community in designing programs and services to care for our own children and families. Accordingly, we are dedicated to planning, developing, and implementing creative and innovative Indigenous programs and services in collaboration with members of our community and other agencies.
- Join an Agency that strives to provide services to strengthen Indigenous families culturally and spiritually!
- Receive a competitive salary $69,760.70 to $89,268.45 per year PLUS a comprehensive benefits package!
- Take on a challenging role that provides membership in the Public Service Pension Plan!
The objective of the Child Safety Program is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to work towards the preservation of families. The Child Safety Program provides a continuum of services, from preventive programs which support and maintain families, to services that ensure permanency for children in care.
JOB SUMMARY:
Under direction of the Team Leader and/or Child Safety Practice Manager and in accordance with legislation and agency policy, the Out of Care (OOCO) Social Worker promotes the use of Out of Care placements for youth and children when an out of home option is determined to be in the child’s best interest.
The OOCO Social Worker is responsible to assess Out of Care placements for children and youth when an out of home option is determined to be in the child’s best interest. This position works in collaboration with the referring child safety social worker, family, and Indigenous community to identify and assess prospective extended family, friend, or community placements. The OOCO social worker during the assessment phase is also responsible to assist in planning for needed supports for the child/youth and care provider to ensure a successful placement.
The work of the OOCO Social Worker is guided by the values of belonging, respect, strengths-based practice, integrity, and humility. Practice is conducted in accordance with legislation, policy, and practice standards and by the VACFSS philosophy of service delivery and the principles of restorative child welfare. The goal is enacted by:
- Completing Out of Care Options Assessments by: meeting with referring Child Safety Social Workers, assessing prospective Out of Care care-providers to determine suitability, completing Restricted Foster home studies (90 day interim and SAFE studies) and completing 54.01 home studies
- Providing support to OOCO Caregivers by: Responding to care providers requests for information and supports including financial requests, community connections, providing emotional support, strategizing how to best meet the needs of the child/youth, and advocating for the needs of the care provider and the child/youth.
- Coordinating of Collaborative Meetings
- Identifying and Joining with the Child’s Circle by: determining the child’s family, community and territorial connections and maps these in a genogram, ecomap or equivalent document.
- Creating Security, Belonging and Well-being: by educating and referring children and families to community services, in addition to VACFSS ceremonies and services.
- Wrapping Supports and Building Community Around the Child and their Circle.
A complete position profile will be made available to candidates at the time of the interview.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
1. Preferred Credentials:
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Social Work or in Child & Youth Care OR Master's Degree in Educational Counselling Psychology/Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology with completion of a practicum in family and child welfare OR
- A candidate may be considered equivalent when they are registered and a member in good standing with the BC College of Social Workers or has a letter from the College confirming that their application for registration has been approved.
- C6 Delegation preferred (to be provided).
2. Minimum Credentials:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Services field OR Bachelor’s Degree with a Major/Honors in a Human Services field OR Master’s level graduate Certificate/Diploma in a Human Services field AFTER the completion of an unrelated Bachelor’s Degree.
- PLUS, a minimum of one year of related OR job-specific work experience.
- C6 Delegation preferred (to be provided).
- Human Services fields include: Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Anthropology, Early Childhood Education, Indigenous Studies, Education, Theology or Nursing.
NOTE: If this education was obtained outside of Canada, you need to confirm it has been assessed for equivalency through the International Credential Evaluation Services (ICES). You must provide a comprehensive report and the supplemental report to be considered.
Job Skills and Abilities:
- Solid understanding of the Child, Family and Community Services Act
- Awareness of resources available to Indigenous clients, and knowledge of the referral process
- Demonstrates the ability to maintain controlled emotional involvement in dealing with self and with others.
- Ability to form therapeutic relationships with difficult to engage with children and youth.
- Demonstrated ability to work from a trauma informed practice.
- Applies the Indigenous concept of relational engagement to persons-served, to other employees and to the land from an Indigenous Worldview.
- Utilizes Indigenous values and models of leadership which are entrenched in traditional Indigenous leadership views (Siiyamints) to provide leadership to persons-served, agency employees and others under their sphere of influence.
- Applies the process of traditional problem solving utilizing collaboration and consensus in analyzing and developing appropriate solutions to problems, evaluating a course of action, reaching decisions and modifying decisions based on changing circumstances or information.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Valid Class 5 driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
- Computer skills for Microsoft Word and Outlook.
Key Competencies:
- Relational Engagement
- Leadership
- Collaborative Planning and Decision Making
- Emotional Competency
- Resilience
- Cultural, Spiritual Expression
Notes:
- This position requires Union membership
- This position is open to all staff
- A valid Class 5 driver’s license and reliable vehicle with business class insurance are required to perform the duties of this position.
- This position is classified as Social Program Officer 24. Please note this position is not a Child Safety Social Worker classification and will not be eligible for the Child Safety specific temporary adjustments (TMA).
BENEFITS:
- Extended health and dental
- Group life and AD&D
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
- 100% employer-paid premiums
- 3 weeks of vacation
- Public Service Pension Plan
- Access to VACFSS’ Staff Cultural Clinical Counselor, Elder
- Access to Indigenous Cultural Teachings as coordinated by the Agency
- Eligible for the VACFSS flex program after passing probation
Applications will be accepted from candidates with the above qualifications or from candidates that have delegated experience with MCFD or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency. An eligibility list may be created. Preference may be given to Indigenous candidates as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.
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