Provides client and caseload support across Family Engagement, Outreach Parenting, and Rapid Response programs to promote safe parenting and viable alternatives to child removal. Responsibilities include assessing family functioning, implementing intervention plans, and facilitating access visits between parents and children.
Requirements summary
Requires a Bachelor's degree in a human/social service field and one year of recent related experience. Candidates must possess a valid Class 5 Driver's License, a reliable vehicle, and pass comprehensive security screenings.
The Family Support Worker (Float) works across three programs (Family Engagement, Outreach Parenting, and Rapid Response), providing client and caseload support as operationally needed.
Under the direction of the Métis Family Services (MFS) Associate Director of Program and Practices, the Family Support Worker (float) will promote a least disruptive measures philosophy and support MFS and MCFD protection staff by: assisting clients in the development of skills required to parent in a safe and effective manner, support clients with accessing resources and navigating systems, support clients through access visits with their children. This support will align with the promotion of viable alternatives to the removal of children whenever possible.
The Family Support Worker’s (float) support of clients will include, but is not limited to, gathering information on and assessing family functioning problems in order to develop and implement intervention plans within program guidelines, providing referrals, support, guidance and problem-solving to clients to address issues related to family functioning, and providing parenting skill building, emotional support and feedback to clients.
Reports to: Program Supervisor
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Supports operations across the Family Engagement, Outreach Parenting, and Rapid Response programs by supporting files from each program as required.
Gathers information relevant to the client’s problems, needs and risks by interviewing, observing behaviour, meeting with caregivers and service providers and using a variety of inventories, checklists and questionnaires. Assesses the information gathered to identify client problems, needs, and risks. Develops and implements an intervention plan within program guidelines.
Provides support, guidance and problem-solving to clients to address issues related to family functioning in an individual or group setting using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution, basic non-clinical group counselling techniques and psycho-educational group methods to resolve the identified problems, needs and risks.
May provide intensive one to one support in the client’s home (i.e. life skills, home management skills, parenting skills, behaviour management training, access visit supervision, transportation as needed etc.)
Participates in the development, modification and evaluation of Client Service Plans and Risk Reduction Plans with the integrated case management team.
May support access visits while supporting Client Service Plan and Risk Reduction Plan objectives.
Participate in integrated case management meetings on a regular basis to report clients’ activities and progress.
Outlines services provided by the program and/or organization. Provides information on and referral to other community service providers, resources and professionals as required.
Provides parenting skill building to clients on issues such as parent-child interaction, child development, discipline and guidance, and behaviour management.
Provides emotional support and feedback to clients.
Consult with the Supervisor on a case by case basis
Participates as part of a support team, monitoring client progress and well-being, evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention and family plan and making further recommendations prior to closure of file.
Plans and conducts group educational sessions on topics related to family functioning.
Liaises with and/or promotes the interests of clients with other community service providers, professionals and school personnel as required. Accompany clients to meetings and appointments as required.
Provides support and guidance to clients and families; facilitates positive family communication, assists clients in making positive changes and solving problems related to family functioning and child safety, using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution and basic counselling techniques.
Maintains related records and statistics. Produces client service plans, progress and discharge reports in accordance with established program policies and guidelines.
Maintains related records and statistics and provides reports to the supervisor.
May be required to provide coverage to the three programs during peak vacation times in the summer and at Christmas time.
Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications, Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a related human/social service field.
One (1) year of recent related experience. Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Skills and Abilities
Good knowledge of Indigenous issues
Knowledge of Child development milestones
Excellent oral, written, facilitation and interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrated teamwork skills.
Good time and general management skills
Ability to work effectively with program staff, non-profit or publicly funded groups / agencies, MCFD and other organizations.
Additional Information
This position requires the ability to function independently frequently under pressure while managing multiple concurrent projects and deadlines including effectively managing emergency situations. Program delivery activities may require a moderate level of physical fitness to effectively carry out the duties of the position.
Core Competencies
Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies
Cultural Agility is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous people. It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness in order to create a sense of safety for all. It is openness to unfamiliar experiences, transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation. It is examining one's own culture and worldview, and the culture of Métis Family Services, and to notice their commonalities, and distinctions with Indigenous cultures, and worldviews. It is recognition of the ways that personal and professional values may conflict or align with those of Indigenous people. It is the capacity to relate to or allow for differing cultural perspectives and being willing to experience a personal shift in perspective. Effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views.
Behavioural Competencies
Results Driven concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one’s own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement).
Teamwork and Co-operation is the ability to work co-operatively with diverse teams, work groups, and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals. It includes the desire and ability to understand and respond effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views.
Service Orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the public, co-workers, other branches, other ministries/agencies, other government organizations, and non-government organizations. It means focusing one's efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.
Seeking and Using Feedback involves recognizing that improving performance and authenticity can occur through a reciprocal relationship. This requires an acknowledgement that here is an opportunity for mutual learning and development and levels the field in what is brought to supervision. Reciprocal learning can require active listening and modeling personal change in order to foster trust.
Decisive Insight combines the ability to draw on one’s own experience, knowledge and training and effectively problem-solve increasingly difficult and complex situations. It involves breaking down problems, tracing implications and recognizing patterns and connections that are not obviously related.
Reflective Practice is the ability to critically assess how one’s values, beliefs, ethics and culture influence decisions and relationships. An ability to demonstrate exemplary behaviour and curiosity regarding the perspectives of others, results in appropriate boundaries and insightful practice.
Responsive Learning is facilitated through multiple approaches to encourage a deepening and expanding of skill sets with a view to continuing to build expertise that result in improved individual and organization outcomes.
Handling crisis involves effectively managing risks and crises and handling public relations.
Other Requirements
Required to use own vehicle. Valid Class 5 Driver’s License, Driver’s Abstract and a reliable and safe vehicle.
Subject to a positive reference check.
Successful completion of security screening requirements of Métis Family Services, which includes a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, police record checks, enhanced security screening and degree verification.
Satisfactory proof of legal authorization to work in Canada
Metis Family Services thanks all applicants for their interest in this career opportunity; however, only those considered for the position will be contacted.
