WJS Canada provides social services to children, youth, adults and families facing difficulties. We take a personalized, trauma-informed approach to care in an environment of cultural respect and support. We provide foster and kinship parents the tools and resources to help them meet the needs of the youth in their care.
The Foster Care Support Worker oversees contracted foster care families within a service area (Lac La Biche to Vegreville). 30% travel within the service area between Lac La Biche and Vegreville, meeting with foster families is required, therefore successful incumbent should have a reliable vehicle and be comfortable with seasonal driving. This position will be supervised out of the Lac La Biche WJS Canada Family Services office.
The Foster Care Support Worker will recruit, orient and train new foster families based on established criteria and, complete SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) home studies as required with each contracted provider. They also connect foster families with community support resources, plan for transitions, and monitor quality of care.
• Travel to family homes and communities in the service area (Lac La Biche to Vegreville) for regularly scheduled and unannounced monitoring visits to homes
• Work with case management teams to develop and implement comprehensive transition plans that ensure individuals successfully transition into new homes; from children to adult services or discharge from foster care.
• Develop and implement competency based training and coordinate professional supports.
• With input from the youth and families develop goal-based service plans and ensure accurate client file management including timely documentation and record of client activities.
• Evening and occasional weekend work is required, as this is the time when families with children are together and can be a stressful time for families.
• Ensure compliance with CARF/COA accreditation standards and legislated requirements.
• Connect children & families with support networks, outside agencies and community resources and organize ongoing service delivery.
• Assist caregivers to develop emergency response, safety and contingency planning, as well as, provide crisis intervention services if needed.
• Utilize standardized assessment and monitoring instruments to ensure continuity of procedures and consistency in follow up.
• Review recommendations and action plans with caregivers.
• Write incident reports as required.
• Maintain current contact notes and program reports.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case management meetings, as well as, quality improvement and risk management committees
• Office-related duties such as data entry, filing, etc.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as required.
*** Prior to confirmation of employment all applicants must provide a current (dated within 6 months of hiring date) Criminal Record Check and Ministry Check. These checks can take up to 6 weeks to obtain, please ensure you prepare accordingly.
• 2+ years related experience in case management, working with foster families
• College Diploma in Social work or Human Services field.
• Familiarity/experience with accreditation standards for monitoring Foster Homes and Child in Care programs.
• Preference for completion of the SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) home study course and having working experience OR the successful candidate without the completion of the SAFE course MUST complete the 2 day training within their probation period.
Additional Requirements:
• Valid CPR / First Aid certificate (or willingness to obtain during probation)
• Valid Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Certificate (MANDT) and Conflict Resolution Certificate
WJS Canada’s mission is ‘We serve individuals and families with high quality, personalized, and culturally responsive support’. The support we provide for families, emphasizes building relationships to enhance the family's strengths and achieve goals that address their needs for support in areas of struggle. Services are individualized and based on the family's belief that their own internal resources can be strengthened and that other helpful skills can be developed. For more information on WJS, services and career opportunities, visit www.wjscanada.com
• Work/life balance
• Learning and career development opportunities
• Competitive wages
• Paid vacation and benefits for eligible employees
• Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees
• Professional development opportunities and job-related training
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Long Service Milestone rewards
• Employee referral bonus program
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you! Please apply.
Equal-Opportunity Employer
Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is unwavering. We believe that varied backgrounds and experiences fuel innovation and success. As an equal-opportunity employer, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations. We're seeking candidates passionate about contributing to our multicultural teams and enriching our workplace with their unique insights and cultural sensitivity.
We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.
No telephone calls please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.