Kinship Home Assessor

Our Community Our Kids; Allen (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Our Community Our Kids is seeking a Home Assessor to complete kinship home assessments for families seeking placement of children in DFPS/OCOK custody. You will deliver education to families, prepare reports, and ensure safety through home visits and documentation.

This role requires a Bachelor’s degree in human services and at least two years of relevant experience. The position emphasizes confidentiality, ethical practice, and collaboration with service providers to support families during

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field is required.
• Two years of experience in human services are required; home study writing is preferred.
• Knowledge of child placement practices and related regulations is expected.

Responsibilities

• Complete kinship home assessments for families seeking placement of children in DFPS/OCOK custody.
• Prepare and file reports containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content.
• Conduct health and safety checks of potential relative care providers to assess safety.
• Provide education and counseling to families about kinship processes prior to placement.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow agency policies when handling records.
• Attend to paperwork timely and accurately per OCOK policies and procedures.

Skills

Ethical standards

Professional collaboration

Documentation skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Job description

Position Function

Completion of kinship home assessments on families seeking to have placement of children who are in the custody of DFPS/OCOK.

Working Conditions

Position includes exposure to parents, guardians, and conservators as well as to youth with behavioral problems, including possible physical aggression. A personal vehicle is required for travel. Must possess a valid driver's license. Availability to conduct assessments after hours and on weekends. The position is sensitive to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Exposure to Confidential Information

The Home Assessor will have access to confidential records including youth files, foster care and adoption records, and foster parent information. Must maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel records and client records.

Key Expectations/Responsibilities

• Maintain high ethical standards which are outlined in the ACH Child and Family Services Code of Ethics.
• A commitment to empowering others to solve their problems.
• Value a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person.
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers and professionals.
• The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
• The ability to set appropriate limits.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Implementation

• Complete kinship home assessments on families seeking to have placement of children who are in the custody of the Department of Family and Protective Services/OCOK
• Complete paperwork requirements in a timely, accurate manner in accordance with OCOK Policy and Procedures
• Offer services in professional manner which reflect good customer service.
• Provide education and counseling to families on the kinship process prior to the placement of children in their home.
• Accepts responsibility for appraisal of own work and for professional development.
• Completes documentation and forwards reports containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content.
• Conducts health and safety checklist of potential relative care providers to assess the safety of the environment.
• Refrains from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.

Training and Supervision

• Attend continuing education necessary to expand knowledge and maintain certifications or licenses.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor and seek supervision when appropriate.
• Participate in in-service training.
• Participates in applicable agency trainings as well as seminars/conferences in the community at large.

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree, in a human services field, is required.

Experience

Two years experience working within human services required. Home study writing experience is preferred.

Functional

Knowledge of good child placement practices. Advanced writing skills. Skills in developing and maintaining professional working relationships. Ability to assess and placement appropriateness. Ability to support families dealing with separation and attachment issues. Ability to assess child's needs and process in the placement progress. Ability to manage workload and meet established deadlines. Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and regulations. Knowledge of laws and regulations to child care, abuse, and neglect. Ability to assess current life situations of children to determine the presence of child abuse and neglect. Ability to collaborate effective with colleagues, families, and community partners to identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Ability to articulate an understanding of the intersection between race and poverty and the different outcomes and conditions that exist among specific groups as compared to other groups due to unequal treatment of services. Ability to identify and coordinate available services. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports. Ability to travel locally and within the region.