Family & School Liaison Worker

Inn From the Cold; Calgary; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and living wages

Extended health benefits

RRSP contributions

Paid vacation starting at three weeks

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Inn from the Cold is seeking a Family & School Liaison Worker to support children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness by promoting educational stability and reducing school-related barriers. Working within our CYD framework, this role serves as the primary contact for school registration verification, educational advocacy, and school-based resource navigation.

Using a trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and family-centered approach, you will collaborate with

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Education, Social Work, Child & Youth Care, Human Services, or related field preferred.
• Experience working with children, youth, and families facing complex social or educational barriers.
• Knowledge of school systems, educational supports, and registration processes.
• Understanding of homelessness and its impact on educational engagement and child development.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and family-centered practice.
• Strong advocacy, assessment, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with schools, community agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Teams, and client information systems.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Police Information Check and Child Intervention Check required.

Responsibilities

• Engage families identified through intake where school registration has not been verified or where no educational placement has been confirmed.
• Verify school registration status for school-aged children, including public, separate, alternative, and home education arrangements.
• Support families through school registration processes and assist with documentation requirements.
• Complete school support assessment for children who are not currently registered in school.
• Identify immediate educational barriers impacting school attendance, participation, or enrollment.
• Introduce families to Child & Youth Development services and programming opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Child & Youth Program Facilitator and Child & Youth Engagement & Outreach Worker to promote integrated CYD supports.
• Assist with the coordination and promotion of CYD activities, programs and family engagement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of family interactions, educational assessments, school registration status, referrals, and outcomes.
• Utilize HOMES, Program Drive folders, Microsoft Teams, and other agency systems to document services.
• Maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with co-workers, shelter staff, school personnel, and community partners.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, training, organization-wide events, and professional development opportunities.

Skills

Advocacy

Assessment

Relationship-building

Documentation

Time-management

Collaboration

Education

Diploma or degree in Education, Social Work, Child & Youth Care, Human Services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Teams

Client information systems

Job description

Are you a changemaker? Come on INN!

Who Are We?

We’re an amazing team, doing amazing things every day. Inn from the Cold is the largest organization in the Calgary region dedicated to supporting families experiencing a housing crisis.

At Inn from the Cold, we offer more than a job; we provide an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of families in need. Our values guide us — compassion, accountability, respect, inclusivity, courage, and innovation. We are driven by our vision of a thriving community where every child and family has a safe and stable place to call home.

We prioritize people, recognizing the uniqueness and worth of everyone who walks through our doors. Our commitment to reconciliation and equity is not just a statement; it's a journey we're dedicated to, actively working alongside Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities to dismantle oppressive structures. As a trauma informed organization, we create a safe and supportive environment, promoting healing and resilience.

We are a multidisciplinary team united by a shared vision, mission and values. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, and we believe that diverse perspectives drive our success. It is this diversity and the respect and value we have for each other and our community that makes us stronger.

If this sounds like a place where you would want to work, please review the position below to see if there’s a fit with your skills and experience.

What Are We Looking For?

• Position Title Family & School Liaison Worker
• Job Type Full Time
• Department Programs
• Reports to Manager, Integrated Support Services

Position Overview

The Family & School Liaison Worker supports children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness by promoting educational stability and reducing school-related barriers. Working within Inn from the Cold's Child & Youth Development (CYD) framework, this role serves as the primary contact for school registration verification, educational advocacy, and school-based resource navigation.

Using a trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and family-centered approach, the Family & School Liaison Worker collaborates with families, schools, community agencies, and internal teams to help children maintain educational continuity and access appropriate educational supports while residing in shelter. The Family & School Liaison Worker plays a critical role in ensuring children have access to educational opportunities that promote stability, belonging, and long-term success.

What You’ll Do

• Engage families identified through intake where school registration has not been verified or where no educational placement has been confirmed.
• Verify school registration status for school-aged children, including public, separate, alternative, and home education arrangements.
• Support families through school registration processes and assist with documentation requirements.
• Complete school support assessment for children who are not currently registered in school.
• Identify immediate educational barriers impacting school attendance, participation, or enrollment.
• Introduce families to Child & Youth Development services and programming opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Child & Youth Program Facilitator and Child & Youth Engagement & Outreach Worker to promote integrated CYD supports.
• Assist with the coordination and promotion of CYD activities, programs and family engagement opportunities.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of family interactions, educational assessments, school registration status, referrals, and outcomes.
• Utilize HOMES, Program Drive folders, Microsoft Teams, and other agency systems to document services.
• Maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with co-workers, shelter staff, school personnel, and community partners.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, training, organization-wide events, and professional development opportunities.

This position description reflects the general duties of the position, but it is not intended to be a detailed description of all duties that may be inherent in the position. The Family & School Liaison Worker will be asked to perform other duties as required or assigned.

What You Bring to Our Mission

• Diploma or degree in Education, Social Work, Child & Youth Care, Human Services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working with children, youth, and families facing complex social or educational barriers.
• Knowledge of school systems, educational supports, and registration processes.
• Understanding of homelessness and its impact on educational engagement and child development.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and family-centered practice.
• Strong advocacy, assessment, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with schools, community agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong documentation, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Teams, and client information systems.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Police Information Check and Child Intervention Check required.

What We Offer

• We provide people with meaningful work and are committed to offering equitable benefits and total compensation to all staff, including: Competitive salary, where all employees are paid a living wage at minimum
• Focus on health and wellbeing, including access to employer paid extended health benefits, dental benefits, annual health spending account and employer matched RRSP contributions
• Commitment to your mental wellbeing with free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program
• Work life balance, including paid vacation starting at three weeks, wellness days, and 12 paid statutory holidays
• Supportive and flexible work environment, with ongoing training and development opportunities
• Potlucks, celebrations, employee engagement initiatives and plenty of fun
• Strong commitment to advancing reconciliation, aligning with the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Recognition that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength in diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Our Commitment

Join us in a workplace where your actions contribute to breaking down barriers, fostering equity, and creating a truly inclusive and antiracist space. At Inn from the Cold, you're not just an employee but a crucial part of a community, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

We value unique perspectives and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of talents and skills. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, place of origin, source of income, mental and physical disability, age or veteran status.

Application Deadline:

Applications will be accepted until the successful candidate is found.

Inn from the Cold is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. To request an accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail] before your interview.

The successful candidate must satisfactorily complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check.