167070 - Social Worker (Children?s Services) - Social Development and Seniors - Permanent

The Department of Social Development and Seniors is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. Our goal is to build a public sector workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and to promote welcoming, diverse, inclusive, respectful workplaces that are accessible to all. We welcome all interested individuals including Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, Black, racialized, ethnic and culturally diverse groups, as well as people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identities, and gender expressions. Those looking for more information are invited to visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy.

Children’s Services Social Workers, who are eligible to be Delegated Child Protection Social Workers, provide services to children (and/or their caregivers) who have been found in need of protection due to being harmed, abused and/or neglected by a parent.  Additionally, the Senior Children’s Services Social Worker (level 19) provides mentorship and case direction to level 18 CSSWs, deal with very complex cases and act in the absence of team Supervisors on a regular basis.

Duties will include but are not limited to and depending on the team to which the incumbent is assigned:

• Complete clinical assessments regarding educational, social, cultural, developmental and emotional needs for children who are, or have been, in need of protection.
• Use standardized, validated tools to inform assessments of children in care and care providers to aid in the development of appropriate plans of care.
• Implement plans of care with children in care, monitor progress, revise plans as situations change
• Gain information and complete assessments of potential GACP care providers, Foster Parents, and Adoptive families to assess the ability of the family to meet the educational, social, cultural, developmental and emotional needs of children in a safe and secure environment.
• Provide support to involved family members and develop client resources through collaboration with service providers and the community.
• Provide direction to Family Service Workers and Youth Workers to implement plans of care; gain feedback to inform monitoring and revisions to plans of care.
• Navigate and support children in care through criminal court, legal services, probation and victim services when required.
• Provide birth parent counselling to individuals considering placement for adoption.
• For potential adoptive parents, provide education and support to understand and complete the application process.
• Develop family intervention plans in conjunction with the Child Protection Social Worker specific to the strengths and needs of the child.
• Use various information systems to document all aspects of work according to legislation and policy (i.e., assessments, work plans, case notes, legal undertakings, communication, information sharing, payments, benefits, applications, contracts, adoption agreements, annual and biannual reviews of resources and adoptive families, etc.)
• Prepare documentation Courts, represent the Director of Child Protection in Court by providing testimony/evidence in Court .
• Explain legal matters to the child in an age-appropriate manner and ensures their wishes are taken into consideration in making decisions in their best interest.
• Once delegated, provide on-call evening, overnight and weekend coverage in addition to full-time work week. Frequency depends on staffing. Responds to child protection calls received by the Child Abuse Line.
• For Senior Social Worker Positions –Participate in interdepartmental and interagency committees for the purpose of enhancing collaboration and relationships, and to develop new initiatives (e.g., committees for BRIDGE Situation Table, Therapeutic Court, Legal Services, Acute Care, Child Sexual Abuse, Structured Decision Making)
• For Senior Social Worker Positions-provide Acting Supervisory Coverage when required.
• Supervise Bachelor of Social Work student placements; and perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:      

• A Master of Social Work degree or a Bachelor of Social Work degree with considerable experience. Experience required is in Social Work and prior experience in child protection is preferred.
• For Senior Social Worker Positions - A Master of Social Work degree supplemented by considerable experience or a Bachelor of Social Work degree supplemented by extensive experience. The experience required is in Social Work and prior experience in child protection is preferred.
• Eligible for registration with the PEI Social Work Registration Board and for delegation under the PEI Child Protection Act;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A valid PEI driver’s license with access to a reliable vehicle
• The employee is required, as a condition of employment, to provide a motor vehicle for the purpose of carrying out employment functions. The requirement is subject to review every 12 months as per UPSE Civil Collective Agreement.
• A good previous work and attendance record and acceptable Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Protection Record Check.
• Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, impacts of abuse and neglect on children, community resources, systems that children interact with (education, criminal justice, health including mental health and addictions, etc.), trauma and its effect on children’s well-being, mental health and addictions issues and their impacts, loss and grief, adoption related issues and the importance of permanency planning for children.
• Skills in risk assessment, interviewing, communication, case planning, case management, counselling, clinical assessment, critical thinking, anger management, conflict resolution, group work, crisis intervention, collaboration, cultural competence, computer literacy, documentation and time management.
• Ability to understand and interpret the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families, the Adoption Act and other related legislation, policies and procedures.
• Training in use of Structured Decision Making
• SAFE Assessment training
• Trauma Informed Care training

Other Qualifications:

• Knowledge of other risk assessment tools
• Knowledge of all departmental social programs
• PRIDE training, Step Wise Joint Interviewing

Preference will be given to UPSE Civil Employees as per the UPSE Civil Collective Agreement

This competition may be used to fill future job vacancies.

Please ensure the application clearly demonstrates how you meet the noted qualifications as applicants will be screened based on the information provided.  We would like to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.