Job Description

Reporting to: Supervisor, Resources
Classification: Full Time Permanent; union
Salary Range: As per Band 12: $63,071-$85,595 per annum prorated based
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Application deadline: 11:59pm December 3, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Application Procedure: Please apply through our Career portal section of our website: https://hccas.ca

Guided by Catholic values and teachings, we serve and offer bilingual (English/French) service to children, youth and families within the Hamilton community to protect their safety and well-being, strengthen families and nurture lifelong relationships.
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Hamilton and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
Qualified candidates must have the skills and knowledge needed to work with an increasingly diverse population as well as knowledge of inequities, how they are perpetuated, and the skills to address them, specific to the requirements of the job.

The Permanency Worker – Resources (Placement/OPR) will secure timely and appropriate placements for children/youth in residential programs of the Society including OPR foster, group care and Individual Service Agreement arrangements while focused on meeting the cultural, racial and identity needs of the child throughout the placement planning process.
This role acts to provide oversight and liaison with program operators to ensure that quality care is being provided to children and youth while assisting the Resource Unit Supervisor in the organization and management of the special rate review process.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
JOB DUTIES
• Respond to placement resource inquiries, select suitable placement resources for children requiring placement and provide oversight of the Resource where children in the care of CCAS are placed.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with caregivers and operators of both agency and non-agency operated residential placements in support of current placements and prospective placements including regular site visits and participating in plan of cares.
• Serve as an advocate between the agency and foster and/or group home parents and/or OPR’s including unlicensed settings and 1-1 providers.
• Assist with role clarification, areas of tension, financial questions, service agreement, adhering to agency policies etc.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of non-agency operated programs including program operations, per diems and service agreements.
• Screen, support, and review foster and/or group homes and/or OPR’s so that they meet, and continue to meet, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ministry) licensing requirements as per Quality Standard Framework regulations and accreditation standards and agency policies.
• Deliver and complete SAFE home studies and caregiver learning plans in accordance with standards and guidelines.
• Participate as a member of the Placement Planning Review Committee and work with agency staff regarding the placement of children and youth in agency and non-agency operated residential programs.
• Carry Provider Records as assigned. Support foster parents through contact and additional services in meeting the needs of the children placed in their care.
• Interpret child welfare and agency policies and procedures to foster parents and/or OPR’s and staff.
• Provide covering-worker duties to the Unit.
• Maintain current records, files, recordings on case notes, and statistics in accordance with current procedures and requirements, and in accordance with Ministry standards and Agency policies.
• Liaise and work collaboratively with collaterals i.e., Foster parents, OPRs, therapists/psychiatrists, schools and community services.
• Collaborate with agency and community services ensuring that effective services are provided to the children and Resource caregivers.
• Provide comprehensive and timely information to foster families, residential care providers, family service worker and others as needed.
• Conduct ongoing assessments of the capacity of placements, develop fulsome learning plans and provide supports and training opportunities to meet the needs of children.
• Manage time to ensure availability for planned unit coverage responsibilities and minimizes unplanned interruptions to planned coverage.
• Complete mandatory training and participate in ongoing agency training.
• Demonstrate leadership and commitment to the principles of anti-oppressive practices and anti-racism based on justice, fairness, equity, respect of the beliefs and traditions of others.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
• Master of Social Work, Master’s degree, or Bachelor of Social Work, in related field with direct relevant experience.
• 1-5 years’ of experience as a Children Protection/permanency worker in a child welfare agency.
• An understanding of social casework principals as they relate to service delivery to families and children. Experience working with children and multi-dimensional families.
• Conceptual framework for the practice of social work, especially crisis theory.
• Demonstrated competence in a high level of assessment skills.
• Ability to be decisive and effective under pressure. Demonstrated competence in problem solving, conflict resolution skills
• Ability to write timely, clear, concise case notes, recordings and reports.
• Ability to work jointly, co-operatively in consultation with other persons, professionals and teams.
• Self-directed in organizing work to meet deadlines, with attention to detail.
• Effective time management skills, completing administrative and assigned tasks, in a timely manner and within specified deadlines.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills to establish and maintain open, trusting and approachable relationships with foster parents and children/youth and OPR operators and community partners
• Familiarity or knowledge of the child welfare system and the youth that are serviced in this environment.
• Knowledge of cultural and minority groups and of community based supports and resources in the Hamilton area.
• Demonstrates a commitment to, and work ethic in leadership and role models behaviours that demonstrates the Mission and Vision of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.
• Bilingual French/English is an asset.
• Respectful and compassionate demeanor.
• Knowledge and commitment to anti-oppressive/anti-racist philosophy.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:
• Computer literate with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft office and proprietary child welfare systems and programs.
• Able to affirm and integrate in the delivery of services the Society values which reflect the Agency’s Catholic faith, heritage, culture and traditions.
• At the time of hire, documents required will include:
o Police clearance
o Provincial Child Protection Record Check
o Valid Ontario Driver’s license and acceptable drivers abstract.
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Hamilton and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who have a diverse lived experience and can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to ensuring a unbiased selection process that values equity, diversity and inclusion and reflects the Hamilton Catholic community that we serve.
In order to minimize interviewer bias we have incorporated the following into our selection process:
• We will have our interview panel score written assignments blind to eliminate bias
• We will seek out recent examples on behavior-based questions during the interview process
• We will review a candidate’s lived experience during the interview and when assessing staffing needs
• We provide accommodations in accordance with AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code
• We will hold your application in strict and professional confidence
We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Human Resources.

Required languages: English

Education level: • Master of Social Work, Master’s degree, or Bachelor of Social Work, in related field with direct relevant experience

Required skills: • Master of Social Work, Master’s degree, or Bachelor of Social Work, in related field with direct relevant experience.

Additional skills / Assets: • Master of Social Work, Master’s degree, or Bachelor of Social Work, in related field with direct relevant experience. • 1-5 years’ of experience as a Children Protection/permanency worker in a child welfare agency. • An understanding of social casework principals as they relate to service delivery to families and children. Experience working with children and multi-dimensional families. • Conceptual framework for the practice of social work, especially crisis theory. • Demonstrated competence in a high level of assessment skills. • Ability to be decisive and effective under pressure. Demonstrated competence in problem solving, conflict resolution skills • Ability to write timely, clear, concise case notes, recordings and reports. • Ability to work jointly, co-operatively in consultation with other persons, professionals and teams. • Self-directed in organizing work to meet deadlines, with attention to detail. • Effective time management skills, completing administrative and assigned tasks, in a timely manner and within specified deadlines. • Effective interpersonal and communication skills to establish and maintain open, trusting and approachable relationships with foster parents and children/youth and OPR operators and community partners • Familiarity or knowledge of the child welfare system and the youth that are serviced in this environment. • Knowledge of cultural and minority groups and of community based supports and resources in the Hamilton area. • Demonstrates a commitment to, and work ethic in leadership and role models behaviours that demonstrates the Mission and Vision of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. • Bilingual French/English is an asset. • Respectful and compassionate demeanor. • Knowledge and commitment to anti-oppressive/anti-racist philosophy. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION: • Computer literate with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft office and proprietary child welfare systems and programs. • Able to affirm and integrate in the delivery of services the Society values which reflect the Agency’s Catholic faith, heritage, culture and traditions. • At the time of hire, documents required will include: o Police clearance o Provincial Child Protection Record Check o Valid Ontario Driver’s license and acceptable drivers abstract.

Closest intersection: Sanford Avenue and King Street East