Child Welfare Liaison Worker

Inuuqatigiit Centre; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Inuuqatigiit Centre seeks a Child Welfare Liaison Worker to support Inuit families involved with CAS, offering guidance on processes, rights and responsibilities. Under supervision, you will advocate for families and provide crisis intervention, home visits, and referrals to culturally relevant services.

You will liaise with CAS, support legal aid access, assist with safety planning, and document outcomes while maintaining compassionate relationships with families through a trauma-informed,

Qualifications

• Knowledge of traumatic effects of colonization on the Inuit community.
• Knowledge of the Child, Youth and Families Services Act (CYFSA).
• Ability to advocate effectively for families involved with the Children's Aid Society.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to operate computer systems and relevant software.
• Strong organizational, planning, evaluation, fiscal management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to respond effectively in crisis situations. Ability to work in a collaborative staff team environment.
• Enthusiasm, flexibility, dedication and commitment to children.

Responsibilities

• Manage referrals regarding child welfare made to Inuuqatigiit Centre.
• Ensure use of a trauma informed practice to support clients and provide culturally and linguistically relevant services.
• Provide responsive and inclusive guidance, support, resources, and advocacy to children, youth and parents/caregivers involved with CAS - including appointment accompaniment, home visits, and referrals Engage in supportive counselling and assistance/guidance regarding parents' rights and responsibilities with CAS processes and protocols.
• Advocate for parent and child rights with regard to their CAS file.
• Assist with safety planning as required Liaise between parents and other parties, such as CAS, foster parents, kin placements, listed community etc.
• Support parents to obtain legal aid and legal council when involved with the court system.
• Obtain informed consent from parents to liaise with parents' lawyers and provide advocacy.
• Engage in all meetings with CAS as requested by the parent.
• Participate in Circle of Care process when requested by parent.
• Provide crisis intervention to families and individuals as needed.
• Refer parents/families to appropriate services as required and document the results of these referrals.
• Maintain meaningful ongoing relationships with parents and their families.
• Identify and report on concerns and issues related to parental engagement to Manager of FWB.
• Support and plan for a family's needs throughout the engagement with CAS.
• Anticipate and plan for ongoing supports following the closure of a CAS file.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Advocacy

Oral & written communication

Computer skills

Organizational skills

Crisis response

Job description

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Family Well-Being Manager, the Child Welfare Liaison Worker assists families who are involved with child welfare organizations, and/or the Children's Aid Society (CAS) to provide guidance and information to parents regarding the process, their rights and responsibilities. This is a position functions outside of the provincial, child-welfare services and is directly located within Inuuqatigiit as an advocate and support service for the well‑being of Inuit children and their families.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage referrals regarding child welfare made to Inuuqatigiit Centre
• Ensure use of a trauma informed practice to support clients and provide culturally and linguistically relevant services
• Provide responsive and inclusive guidance, support, resources, and advocacy to children, youth and parents/caregivers involved with CAS - including appointment accompaniment, home visits, and referrals Engage in supportive counselling and assistance/guidance regarding parents' rights and responsibilities with CAS processes and protocols
• Advocate for parent and child rights with regard to their CAS file
• Assist with safety planning as required Liaise between parents and other parties, such as CAS, foster parents, kin placements, listed community etc.
• Support parents to obtain legal aid and legal council when involved with the court system
• Obtain informed consent from parents to liaise with parents' lawyers and provide advocacy
• Engage in all meetings with CAS as requested by the parent
• Participate in Circle of Care process when requested by parent
• Provide crisis intervention to families and individuals as needed
• Refer parents/families to appropriate services as required and document the results of these referrals
• Maintain meaningful ongoing relationships with parents and their families
• Identify and report on concerns and issues related to parental engagement to Manager of FWB.
• Support and plan for a family's needs throughout the engagement with CAS
• Anticipate and plan for ongoing supports following the closure of a CAS file

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge on the traumatic effects of colonization on the Inuit community
• Knowledge of the Child, Youth and Families Services Act (CYFSA)
• Ability to advocate effectively for families involved with the Children's Aid Society
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to operate computer systems and relevant software
• Strong organizational, program planning, evaluation, fiscal management and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to respond effectively in crisis situations Ability to work in a collaborative staff team environment
• Ability to function effectively in a high stress, high noise environment
• Enthusiasm, flexibility, dedication and commitment to children