Foster Care/Adoption Worker

Payukotayno; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 77,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Payukotayno is seeking a Foster Care/Adoption Worker to recruit, assess, train, and support caregivers who provide temporary, long-term, or permanent homes for children and youth, with emphasis on Customary Care, kinship care, and adoption. The role ensures placements meet agency standards and CYFSA with First Nations governance and cultural connections.

You will collaborate with internal teams and communities to support permanency, healing, and language/cultural ties, conduct home studies,

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Social Work, Indigenous Studies, Child and Youth Work, or a related field; or equivalent lived/professional experience
• Experience in permanency planning, family-based care, or caregiver assessment and training
• Knowledge of First Nations family systems, kinship care practices, and cultural caregiving
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting complex family systems
• Familiarity with CPIN, licensing requirements, and child welfare legislation; equivalency considered

Responsibilities

• Relational and community engagement with current and prospective caregivers including Customary Care providers and kin
• Work with First Nations to align placement options with community standards and cultural values
• Recruit, assess, and train caregivers through home studies, interviews, and coaching
• Maintain caregiver files and ensure licensing/compliance with agency policy
• Conduct caregiver orientation sessions and cultural planning to support permanency
• Ensure placement decisions align with CYFSA and MCCSS standards; follow licensing and disclosures
• Collaborate with Intake, Ongoing, Clinical, and Family Support teams on interdepartmental planning

Skills

Communication skills

Cultural competence

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Social Work degree or diploma

Indigenous Studies credential

Job description

Salary Range: $76,861.40 To $85,762.40 Annually

Department: Child Welfare

Location(s): Moosonee, Moose Factory, Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Timmins, or other designated service sites

Reports To: Supervisor – Customary Care / Kinship / Adoption

Job Class: Team Member

Salary Structure: CBG01 – Collectively Bargained Grid 01

Purpose of the Role

The Foster Care/Adoption Worker is responsible for the recruitment, assessment, training, and ongoing support of caregivers who provide temporary, long-term, or permanent homes for children and youth. This includes Customary Care, kinship care, foster care, and adoption services, aligned with cultural values and First Nations governance. The role plays a key part in ensuring that children remain connected to their language, culture, and extended family wherever possible.

This position ensures that caregiver placements meet Agency standards, comply with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), and respect the legal frameworks outlined in Bill C-92. The worker collaborates with internal teams, First Nations, and community members to support permanency, belonging, and healing.

Core Responsibilities

1. Relational and Community Engagement

• Build relationships with current and prospective caregivers, including Customary Care providers, kin, and foster families
• Work closely with First Nations to align placement options with community standards and cultural values
• Support children and caregivers through placement matching, transitions, and post-placement follow‑up

2. Program‑Specific Responsibilities

• Recruit and assess caregivers through structured home studies, interviews, and training facilitation
• Maintain caregiver files, documentation, and compliance with licensing and Agency policy
• Deliver caregiver orientation sessions, foster care and Customary Care training, and individualized coaching
• Monitor placements, conduct home visits, and assist with cultural planning and permanency options

3. Legal and Ethical Practice

• Ensure all placement decisions align with CYFSA, Agency policies, and applicable standards from MCCSS
• Follow legal protocols for foster licensing, Customary Care agreements, and adoption disclosures
• Maintain strict confidentiality, informed consent, and documentation in line with PHIPA and FIPPA

4. Team and Agency Participation

• Work collaboratively with Intake, Ongoing, Clinical, and Family Support teams
• Contribute to interdepartmental case planning, cultural planning, and permanency committees
• Participate in seasonal agency events, caregiver appreciation, and debriefings

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or diploma in Social Work, Indigenous Studies, Child and Youth Work, or a related field; or equivalent lived/professional experience
• Experience in permanency planning, family‑based care, or caregiver assessment and training
• Knowledge of First Nations family systems, kinship care practices, and cultural caregiving
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly in assessing and documenting complex family systems
• Familiarity with CPIN, licensing requirements, and child welfare legislation Equivalency will be considered. Lived experience and cultural fluency are strong assets.

Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Access to a reliable vehicle and ability to travel frequently within the region
• Compliance with all Agency policies, Collective Agreement, and legal requirements

Our Hiring Commitments

Payukotayno is committed to Indigenous‑led services, Nation‑based healing, and culturally safe workplaces. We encourage applications from First Nations individuals, especially those from Treaty 9 communities and affiliated Nations. We honour both formal qualifications and cultural/lived knowledge as valid experience.

We are committed to employment equity and welcome applications from all qualified persons, including those identifying as Two‑Spirit, non‑binary, LGBTQ+, francophone, persons with disabilities, and other equity‑seeking groups.

Accommodations are available throughout the application process.

AODA Statement (for postings only)

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Payukotayno will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment process upon request.