CASEWORKER CHILDRENS SERVICES

City of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Caseworker in Children's Services to support families in navigating childcare options. This role involves assessing client needs, managing caseloads, and advocating for equitable access to childcare services. You will work collaboratively with clients and community agencies, ensuring that families receive the necessary support and resources. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and their families, and possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills, this opportunity could be the perfect fit for you. Join a team that values diversity and inclusion while serving the community!

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in social services or related field required.
• Experience in effective caseload management and client needs assessment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct eligibility assessments and manage client data.
• Advocate for clients and assist with childcare placement decisions.
• Work with multi-disciplinary teams and community partners.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Customer Service Skills

Case Management

Cultural Competency

Communication Skills

Time Management

Advocacy Skills

Education

Post-secondary Degree in Social Services

Diploma in Psychology or Sociology

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

• Job Category: Community & Social Services
• Division & Section: Children's Services, ChildSvcs Client Services
• Work Location:Various (see below)
• Job Type & Duration: 1 Temporary (approximately 12 months), 15 Permanent Full Time Vacancies
• Hourly Rate:$37.11 - $40.65
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 16
• Posting Period:12-Mar-2025 to 26-Mar-2025
• Work Locations:
• North Office - 1118 Finch Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 3J4 (Hybrid)

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Supervisor District Operations, the Caseworker Children's Services identifies a family's childcare needs and jointly develops plans for placement in a child care arrangement that meets these needs; assesses and monitors eligibility for subsidized child care in accordance with departmental policies/procedures and applicable Provincial Legislation. Additionally, the Caseworker Children's Services will offer clients a range of services, placement and referral information to support their child care choice.

Major Responsibilities:

• Conducts eligibility assessment, ensures client data is entered into Children’s Services Information System and establishes client’s fee or places client on waiting list.
• Conducts interviews by phone/virtually or in Children’s Services field office, community organizations, Social Services office and childcare centres.
• Identifies client’s short term and longer term childcare needs; identifies several options and counsels client regarding how to make an informed placement decision in a licensed program of choice. Makes referrals or assists clients to contract with an informal care provider; establishes and validates accountability measures and invoices for payments in such cases.
• Explains policies and ensures client is aware of his/her rights and responsibilities.
• Completes applications and required forms creating an individual case file and calculates, based on income and other related factors, the rate of subsidy to be granted to clients.
• Validates client eligibility by contacting various sources, e.g. financial institutions, employers, landlords, other municipalities, thereby cross referencing information in accordance with Provincial Legislation and Corporate, Municipal and Divisional policies and procedures. In partnership with each client, monitors and evaluates the client’s changing needs and maintains client confidentiality.
• Maintains waiting lists and contacts clients regarding vacancies, removal from list, extra support needs, priority placement, transfer etc.
• Advocates on behalf of clients by appealing the individual case recommending changes, re: policy, priority placement, fee structure, family composition, and/or special circumstances. Prepares client appeals.
• Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team by researching, evaluating, and providing input into the development and modification of policies and procedures related to major Divisional/Provincial initiatives or changes.
• Works with partners to ensure child care placement. Assists and supports the client to meet their childcare service plan objectives.
• Attends committee and community meetings, makes presentations, answers questions re: subsidy and policy in general.

Key Qualifications:

• Post-secondary Degree or Diploma in Social Services or a related field (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, etc.) or the approved equivalent combination of education and/or related experience.
• Considerable experience working with clients through effective caseload management, including keeping detailed records and assessing client needs within a high paced human services environment.
• Considerable experience in providing service navigation by identifying resources and supports to assist clients in meeting their families needs.

You must also have:

• Knowledge of diverse cultures, community agencies, resources, and child care programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, community agencies and the public.
• Ability to work independently and organize time and workload effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Ability to provide support to marginalized communities with an anti-racism equity lens.
• Ability to liaise with internal and external partners to provide outreach in target areas, and provide program information, and schedule appointments for clients referred by the agency.
• Knowledge of all applicable Provincial Legislation and Municipal policies and procedures.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills in order to relate to people in an objective and empathetic manner.
• Ability to support Toronto Public Service values and a workplace culture that champions equity, diversity and inclusion.

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.