Intakes and Invesigations Team Lead

Overview: The Intakes & Investigations Team Lead is a lead role in the Siksika Children’s Services Intakes & Investigations unit which operates both during regular work hours and After Hours. The Intakes & Investigations Team Lead manages the Intake and Assessment duties for Siksika Children’s Services. Intake and Investigations involve determining urgency of response, review and analyze assessment information, provide consultation in making a determination of the intervention as defined in the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA). Establish the type of service required to meet the needs and urgency of the needs of the child and family and developing the case plan. The Intakes & Investigations Team Lead provides leadership, training, support, orientation, and direction to the Intake & Investigations Unit. This position approves all direct service provisions and ensures compliance to the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA), other related legislation, and the policies and procedures of Siksika Family Services Corporation.

The Intakes & Investigations Team Lead is responsible for the implementation and delivery of the Siksika Children’s Services Program in accordance to Siksika culture and traditions incorporated by the agency.

Supervision Received: Siksika Children’s Services Program Manager – Off Reserve

Supervision Exercised: Intake, Assessor, Intake-Assessor (2), and After Hours Assessors (5)

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Collaboratively work with and supervise a competent and responsive team that provides Intake & Investigation services to clients during and outside of regular working hours. Expected to work collaboratively with other Units within Siksika Children’s Services.
• Provide direction and support to your team as they provide services defined within the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA). Remains current with amendments to the CYFEA and trains staff accordingly.
• Provides strong leadership to the Intakes & Investigations team that provides quality and culturally sensitive services to children, youth, and families.
• Demonstrate a wide range of skills and knowledge of intervention resources and methods including an in-depth knowledge of assessments, safety planning, accessing resources, and the cultural competency required for the Intakes & Investigations service.
• Provides instruction on the Intakes & Investigations services to staff and approves all direct program services provision expenditures up to $5000.
• Responsible to ensure all staff understand and operate within their delegated authority through mandatory on-going consultation.
• Interprets program/agency policies and procedures to program staff, Siksika Children’s Services staff, Siksika Departments, outside agencies/service providers, Siksika Family Services Board of Directors, Siksika Leadership, other First Nations, and the general public as needed
• Ensure program staff executes their duties within policy, procedures, regulations, and follow proper protocol. The Safety Assessment and Detailed Assessment are performed under the authority of section (6)(2)(a) (assessment approach) or (6)(2)(b) (investigative approach).
• Assigns and adjusts caseloads for each team member during periods of excessive activities or emergencies. Identifies service gaps and makes recommendations to management.
• Ensure success for the Intakes & Investigations team by setting both individual and unit goals, providing ongoing case consultation, supervision with staff, and maintaining a strong effective team that embraces change.
• Scheduled one on one meeting with staff and Child Intervention Casework Information Online (CICIO) reviews to ensure accuracy and timelines are being followed.
• Active participant in case conferences and transfer meetings for clients and files.
• Ensure all documentation is accurate and current for the Intakes & Investigations team as well as on CICIO. All contact, activities, progress, and relevant information on each child, youth, and family is properly documented.
• On-going performance evaluation of staff members to identify areas of change and training.
• Responsible for adhering to the Personnel Policies and Procedures that are approved by the Siksika Family Services Board of Directors when dealing with employee matters such as employee recognition, disciplinary procedure, leaves of absence, etc.
• Prepares monthly reports to the Program Manager and may be asked to prepare reports for the Board of Directors and outside agencies. Participates in strategic planning for the agency while keeping in line with the Business Plan.
• Attends regularly scheduled meetings at the Supervisory level and is part of the Supervisor Team who conducts agency wide training, development, planning, etc.
• Responsible for addressing complaints against program or staff by documenting the complaint, action taken, follow-up, and ensuring the process is properly documented through personnel policy and procedure.
• Participates in promotional and agency wide activities.
• Work in partnership with other Siksika Nation departments to provide services to clients/families.
• Promote and encourage Siksika cultural inclusion in all service delivery.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Working knowledge of the following legislation as they relate to and impact assessment and casework practice: Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and Regulations, Family Law Act, Protection of Children Involved in Prostitution Act, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, Family Supports of Children with Disabilities Act, Drug Endangered Children Act, Protection Against Family Violence Act, Protection of Children Involved in Alcohol and Drugs
• Knowledge of Siksika Children’s Services policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the Siksika history, culture and traditions.
• Sound crisis management skills, critical thinking, assessment, analysis and evaluation skills, knowledge of decision making process, assessment/case planning/interventions.
• Knowledge of indicators of child abuse, neglect and emotional injury, knowledge of safety strategies for self and others, range of conflict resolution, negotiation and problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to make a determination of risk through non face-to-face contact, assess clients' motivation, capacity and opportunity to make changes to resolve intervention concerns.
• Ability to use critical thinking, judgement, interviewing and listening skills to assess the immediacy of risk, and to coordinate and/or provide direct service to resolve the intervention concerns.
• Ability to engage child/youth and family, ensure goals and tasks are realistic, measurable, time-limited and understandable to all parties in case planning.
• Ability to maintain a balance between protecting children and supporting, motivating and strengthening children, youth and families.
• Ability to take information from the assessment factors, complete an analysis of the assessment factors and determine the implications for case planning
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and work cooperatively for the best interests of the child/youth and family.
• Ability to advocate for services to meet gaps as well as develop and enhance existing formal and informal networks.
• Ability to work in collaborative partnership with Intervention Services and Family Enhancement work unit.
• Sound diplomatic, professional, communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use basic computer programs
• In-depth knowledge of intervention skills, assessments, child development, family dynamics, family or origin issues, group processes and safety planning relating to
• Ability to network with other agencies, resources, and facilities.
• Computer skills and ability to teach use of common used computer programs.
• Ability to manage, direct, instruct, supervise staff and to develop teamwork attitude and provide individual support.

Job Requirements/Certifications:

• Clear Criminal Record check with Vulnerable Sector Check dated within the last 6 months of application date. May need to update Criminal Record Check as directed by agency.
• Clear Child Intervention Check through current provincially regulated intervention information system.
• Registered Social Worker under the Alberta College of Social Workers Association, if eligible.
• Eligible for appointment as a Commissioner for Oaths in and for the Province of Alberta.
• Completed the Child Intervention Delegation Training in Alberta.
• Three professional references; one must be from last supervisor or employer.
• Knowledge of Siksika culture and history.
• The ability to speak and understand the Blackfoot language is an asset.
• Must show respect and sensitivity for the Siksika Cultural Traditions

Education/Experience/Training:

• Bachelor Social Work degree and other related experience.
• Bachelor degree in a related social science discipline with three (3) years’ direct related experience, may be considered
• Experience working with Siksika families and children or with other First Nation children and families is an asset.

Work Environment:

• Unavoidable interruptions, changing priorities, workload emergencies, along with client trust relating to employee’s mandate to investigate reports of abuse, neglect and emotion and injury.
• Periods of excessive activity.
• May share office space.
• Times of unavoidable overtime due to families’ schedules and agency mandate.
• The successful candidate will be required to have a valid driver's license and have access to a reliable vehicle that meets the requirements of approved anchor bolts for baby/child car seats and must have business insurance coverage with a minimum two (2) million liability.