Family Resource Worker

Accountability

Family Resource Supervisor

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Family Resource Supervisor, the Family Resource Worker is responsible for providing comprehensive support to foster children, their families, and foster parents. This role involves monitoring and enhancing the well-being of children in foster care, ensuring the appropriate matching of children to foster families, and offering guidance and support to foster parents. The FRW will work closely with families, community agencies, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure the safety, development, and emotional health of children in care.

Responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

  • Licensing foster homes – taking applications and acknowledging receipt of application.
  • Criminal record checks, abuse registry and prior contact checks.
  • Forwarding and requesting letters of reference and tracking.
  • Annual foster home reviews.
  • Providing support to the foster home by maintaining monthly contact with new placements and quarterly contacts after the initial three-month period.
  • Ensuring foster parent education, informing foster parents of new laws and regulations
  • Conduct regular visits to foster homes to assess the safety and well-being of children in care.
  • Monitor and evaluate foster parents’ ability to meet the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of children.
  • Provide guidance, training, and support to foster families on child development, discipline, and managing children with complex needs.
  • Ensure foster parents have the necessary resources, tools, and information to succeed in their roles.
  • Address emergency situations in foster homes, providing immediate support to children and foster parents.
  • Implement crisis intervention strategies, offering emotional support and resolving challenging situations effectively.
  • Facilitate ongoing training for foster parents on topics such as child abuse, neglect, trauma-informed care, behavioral management, and other relevant issues.
  • Offer educational resources to foster families to enhance their understanding of fostering and parenting children with special needs.
  • Work closely with child protection agencies, social workers, healthcare providers, and legal teams to ensure a coordinated approach to the child’s care.
  • Advocate on behalf of children in foster care, ensuring their needs are prioritized in all decision- making processes.
  • Provide emotional and logistical support to children, helping them cope with the challenges of foster care and potential changes in placement.
  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of all interactions, assessments, and case progress, following agency guidelines and legal requirements.
  • Assist in the identification and connection of foster families with community resources, including medical, mental health, and educational services.
  • Other Family Resource Worker duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • BSW degree preferred; or Post-secondary degree in Social Sciences acceptable. Other acceptable combinations of education and related experience may be considered.
  • Minimum five (3) years of experience working directly in the child welfare profession.
  • Knowledge of the CFS Act.
  • Respect for, sensitivity towards as well as knowledge and understanding of Ojibwe culture, traditions and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
  • Good communication and written skills.
  • Skills and knowledge of MS Office Word, Excel, and Sharepoint required.
  • Demonstrated time management skills.
  • Knowledge of or work experience in First Nation communities an asset.
  • Previous experience working with children and families, particularly in a foster care, child welfare, or social services setting.
  • Adoption Act, and related Regulations and Standards
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and organizational skills.
  • Strong analytical, assessment, problem solving and treatment planning skills.
  • Able to utilize and navigate the Provincial CFSIS system
  • Ability to travel and occasionally within Canada.

Knowledge Requirements

  • Respect for, sensitivity towards, knowledge and understanding of Ojibway culture, traditions and teachings.
  • Knowledge of First Nation service delivery, customs and traditions in responding to child welfare.
  • Knowledge of all relevant legislation, including the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act and other relevant legislation design and operation of various service delivery models.

Special Skills

  • Strong professional ethics.
  • Excellent organizational, administrative and planning skills.
  • Excellent research skills.
  • Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Excellent time management skills.
  • Excellent computer skills with MS Office and CFSIS
  • Proven ability to develop, lead and work within a senior-level team environment.
  • Ability to build consensus.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and work flexible hours.
  • Ability to adapt to and manage change.
  • Proven ability to work with First Nation people and communities.
  • Ability and willingness to support both traditional and contemporary healing practices.
  • Commitment to understanding and supporting the Waywayseecappo CFS service delivery model and organizational and service policies.
  • Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information.
  • The ability to understand and speak Ojibway is a definite asset.

Work Site Location

Waywayseecappo First Nation, Brandon & Winnipeg – Family Resource Worker(s) will be assigned to specific office location.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the Family Resource Worker will typically be in an office setting. The Family Resource Worker is frequently required to operate a computer, file and retrieve written documents, and work overtime when required or during emergencies. The physical demands include, but are not limited to, standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, handling, kneeling, crouching, and bending. Some travel will be required.

The administration of employees and service demands can be emotionally challenging. As a result, this position is more emotionally challenging than physically challenging. Extended periods of sitting are required when performing administrative tasks and attending meetings.

Non-physical demands include work environments where the noise level is usually entirely moderate but may occasionally be loud. The nature of the position may expose the Family Resource Worker to moderate levels of tension when dealing with issues. The level of tension is usually moderate, with high tension occurring occasionally.

Technology & Equipment

Computer, photocopier, telephone, fax machine and cell phone.

Supervisory Responsibilities

There are no direct reports to this position.