Family Support Worker

Chilliwack Community Services; Chilliwack; On-site; CAD 43,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Chilliwack Community Services is seeking an outreach-focused Family Support Worker to assist families and children, coordinating case plans with the care team. The role requires engagement with clients in homes, community settings, and group sessions to build parenting skills and daily living abilities.

Qualifications include a related Bachelor's degree, a valid driver's license, first aid & naloxone, and at least one year in a similar environment, preferably with Child Protective Services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in related Human/Social Services field.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.
• Valid first aid & naloxone certification.
• Minimum of one year experience in a similar environment, preferably with Child Protective Services.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted outreach services to enhance behavioural development, parenting capacity, and daily living skills.
• Assist clients in developing healthy parenting, attachment, routines, and social/emotional skills.
• Participate in the implementation and coordination of case management in support plans.
• Provide guidance and problem-solving support to address challenges in family functioning.
• Develop and assist with service plans and client goals with the referring Social Worker.

Skills

Human development knowledge

Family systems & attachment theory

Interpersonal communication

Trauma-informed approach

Group facilitation

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related Human/Social Services field

First aid & naloxone certification

Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance

Job description

Provides family intervention support to parents and their children through partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) to reunify families and assist in the development of skills and self-regulation promoting safe parenting to children experiencing neglect abuse, or any other child-protection concerns.

This position requires some evening and weekend hours.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related Human/Social Services field.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.
• Valid first aid & naloxone certification.
• Minimum of one (1) year previous work in a similar environment, preferably with Child Protective Services.

Job Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of human development and demonstrated ability to work with children and families in an outreach, group, and community setting.
• Strong knowledge of Family Systems and Attachment Theory.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrated ability to teach life & parenting skills, and support client implementation, using a strength-based and trauma-informed approach.
• Demonstrated skills, and temperamentally and emotionally capable of empowering parents through group facilitation, and some curriculum building.
• Demonstrated excellent knowledge and understanding of inter-generational trauma and interventions.
• Demonstrated collaborative skills to work with referring Social Worker, client care team, and other professionals.

Additional Information:

This position requires the ability to function both independently and with a team. Individual one-on-one outreach, group facilitation, visit supervision, and support provided by this position may require work outside normal office hours and in client’s homes, in the community, or at care team functions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide targeted outreach services that enhance behavioural development, greater parenting capacity, and daily living skills for families and their children, based on the goals of the referring worker.
• Assist clients in the development of healthy parenting, (attachment, attunement) life, (routines, structure) and social/emotional skills.
• Participate in the implementation, adaptation, and coordination of all aspects of case management in the support plan for each client.
• Provide support, guidance, and assist in problem solving with clients to address support plan and challenges related to family functioning in an individual or group setting, using skills such as active listening, role modeling, problem solving, conflict resolution, psycho-education, and resource referrals.
• Develop and assist with service plans and client goals directed by the referring Social Worker. Participate in care team meetings as required to consult on, and report, client activities and progress.
• Support clients to access community resources and supports, both professional and natural. Link clients with urgent needs to immediate resources (i.e. securing food resources, financial assistance, and finding housing).
• Provide general emotional support to clients while working to build the emotional adaptability of the parent and child.
• Facilitate Supported Family Visits for parents with children in alternate care, with a physically and emotionally safe, secure, environment.
• Plan and conduct group parent education workshops on topics related to family functioning as required. Consult with clinical therapy staff in the planning and implementation of psychoeducational and life skills groups as required.
• Liaise with and/or advocate for the interests of clients with other community service providers, professionals, school personnel as required. Accompany clients to meetings and community appointments as needed.
• Services to families are provided in the context of the family home and in community locations that meet the needs of the client. Staff safety will be given priority when determining location.
• Record behavioral observations and interventions in non-judgmental and third person perspective. Completes all documentation on time and as required using a case management database where significant risks are present.
• Complete all required training.
• Perform additional training, support, and education duties as required.

General:

• Wage rate as per BCGEU Collective Agreement, Family Support Worker – Grid 12 - $30.95 plus health and dental benefits.
• This position requires Union membership.
• This position is open to all persons.
• This position requires successful completion of a criminal record check.
• This position reports to the Family Services Coordinator.