Foster Care Support Worker FULL TIME

Pathways Family Services; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Agency supervision

Job summary

Pathways Family Services is seeking a Foster Care Support Worker to provide direct in-home support and crisis intervention for foster families in care. You will prepare plans, review referrals, and collaborate with case workers, medical professionals, and schools to support child/youth progress and safety.

The role requires trauma-informed practice knowledge, strong communication, and organizational skills, with duties including monthly supervision and ongoing program development.

Qualifications

• Minimum diploma or undergraduate degree in a Human Services field; Social Work preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a related human services field.
• Trauma-informed practices and knowledge of child development.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; professional ethics.

Responsibilities

• Provide monthly in-home support and crisis intervention to foster families.
• Prepare and evaluate Agency Plans, contact notes, and discharge reports for child/youth.
• Review intake referrals, make placement recommendations, and attend meetings as needed.
• Clearly communicate, consult and liaison with case workers, medical professionals, school representatives, behaviour consultants, biological family, and other professionals.
• Assist and promote parenting strategies that focus on the therapeutic and developmental needs/goals of child/youth with a focus on well-being.
• Coordinate and facilitate various systems meetings including Case Conferences, Placement Oriented and Service Team meetings.
• Provide afterhours Crisis Support for one (1) week on a seven (7) week rotation. (compensated)
• Participate/facilitate monthly in-service opportunities for foster parents. (one evening per month)
• Prepare annual evaluation for caregivers and participate in establishing and evaluating program goals and outcomes.
• Assist with ongoing program development and record keeping practices.
• Monitor and maintain agency standards and practices – CARF Accredited.
• Participate in monthly supervision, weekly team meetings, and program reviews as requested.

Skills

Trauma-informed

Communication

Documentation

Computer skills

Teamwork

Education

Diploma or Bachelors in Human Services

Job description

Pathways Family Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, language, socioeconomic status, spiritual belief, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. This includes recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Our Culture

When you join the Pathways team you join our Pathways Family.

We value: Honesty, Trust, Integrity, Multicultural Diversity & Individual Uniqueness, Respect, Community, Fairness, Social Justice & Teamwork.

Pathways Employees are eligible for a competitive and comprehensive benefit package.

Pathways Contractors receive competitive rates with access to Agency resources and supervision with trained professionals.

The Foster Care Support Worker is responsible for direct support services to foster families in order to promote safety, stability, well-being and family belonging for children and youth in care. Services include supporting caregivers, intake matching, service planning, resource connection, parenting and behavior management strategies, training, and recruitment. The FCSW supervises the foster home and is a liaison to the broader service team and community stakeholders.

The successful candidate has experience working in foster care, is a team player who is mature, skilled, approachable and organized. He/she/they will possess strong communication, documentation and computer skills; and display sound professional judgment and diplomacy with the highest standard of professional ethics when dealing with children, families and professionals. Experience working with Indigenous communities is an asset.

QUALIFICATIONS:Minimum diploma or undergraduate degree in a Human Services field, Social Work is preferred. A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in a related human services field. Sensitive to and able to demonstrate knowledge of trauma informed practices and child development. Ability to work with all cultural, spiritual, and racial backgrounds. Proficient in written and oral English. Demonstrated good standing with professional association.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide monthly in-home support and crisis intervention to foster families.
• Prepare and evaluate Agency Plans, contact notes, and discharge reports for child/youth.
• Review intake referrals, make placement recommendations, and attend meetings as needed.
• Clearly communicate, consult and liaison with case workers, medical professionals, school representatives, behaviour consultants, biological family, and other professionals regarding progress, planning and recommendations for child/youth and foster families.
• Assist and promote parenting strategies that focus on the therapeutic and developmental needs/goals of child/youth with a focus on well-being.
• Coordinate and facilitate various systems meetings including Case Conferences, Placement Oriented and Service Team meetings.
• Provide afterhours Crisis Support for one (1) week on a seven (7) week rotation. (compensated)
• Participate/facilitate monthly in-service opportunities for foster parents. (one evening per month)
• Prepare annual evaluation for caregivers and participate in establishing and evaluating program goals and outcomes.
• Assist with ongoing program development and record keeping practices.
• Monitor and maintain agency standards and practices – CARF Accredited.
• Participate in monthly supervision, weekly team meetings, and program reviews as requested.