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.

Indigenous Services Social Worker (ISSW) provide Children in Care Services, Resource Development, Grandparents and Alternate Care Provider (GACP) Services, and Adoption Services to Indigenous children, families and caregivers in a manner that promotes and preserves the Indigenous cultural identity of children and families. Under provincial child protection legislation, they are responsible for delivering services to children who have been harmed or are at risk of abuse and neglect by their parents. Children’s Services 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 Social Worker (level 19) are dealing with more complex cases as well as providing mentorship and case direction to more junior CSSWs. They are also acting in the absence of team Supervisors on a regular basis.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

• Notifies the Designated Band Representative of any significant measures taken in relation to an Indigenous child and collaborates frequently with the Designated Band Rep and MCPEI regarding decisions and best interests of Indigenous children.
• Where an out of home placement is required for the child, gathers information about the child to share with care providers to care for the child (i.e., medical/health, educational, extra-curricular, etc.)
• Makes clinical assessments of the needs of children in care utilizing the Child Strengths and Needs Assessment to create appropriate Plans of Care and CCP. Completes clinical assessments regarding educational, social, cultural, developmental and emotional needs for children who are, or have been, in need of protection from their parents.
• Uses standardized, validated tools to inform assessments of children in care and care providers, interpret and use results to help guide next steps.
• Gains information and completes assessments of potential GACP care providers, Foster Families, kinship placements 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.
• Advocates on behalf of the children and youth regarding unmet needs with those able to address these issues.
• Supports children to settle into new placements, comforts child, and follows up.
• Based on clinical assessments creates POC, FIP and CCP for children in care and their caregivers.
• Provides birth parent counselling to parents considering placement for adoption.
• Recruits potential FF, GACP and Kinship placements; provides information about the programs, completes assessments regarding suitability, completes contracts.
• Gather and complete background history of children in care and birth parents and create a Life Book to document significant events and people during their time in care.
• Gather and complete background history of children in care and birth parents for adoption placement and finalization to provide information about a child’s life in the birth family and while in care, to help the adoptive family provide answers and information to the adopted child as they age and seek to understand their history.
• Provides caregivers with trauma-informed parenting skill development and knowledge.
• Maintains high standard of all documentation, which are subject to subpoena to Court, opposing legal counsel, review by the Child and Youth Advocate, review by the Minister in the case of a complaint, and review pursuant to Mental Health Act and FOIPP legislation.
• Ensures necessary written correspondence is provided to Foster Families, kinship placements and GACP placements, and service providers such as changes in service (i.e., a family is “on hold” or service is being closed).
• Knows and acts within these and other pieces of legislation: Child, Youth and Family Services Act; the Federal Act; Child and Youth Advocate Act, Judicature Act (regarding Office of the Children’s Lawyer), Family Law Act, and the Adoption Act.
• Prepares a summary of the client’s file to support the legal application requested by the Director of Child Protection; provide to legal team to create affidavit; review affidavit for accuracy. Other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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, Youth and Family Services Act;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A valid PEI driver’s license with access to a reliable vehicle; Requires Driver’s Abstract.
• 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, trauma and its effect on children’s well-being, mental health and addictions issues and their impacts, 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, Step Wise Joint Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care.

Other Qualifications:

• Knowledge of intergenerational and historical trauma in the Indigenous community due to colonization, residential schools and the Sixties Scoop and the role social work has played in these situations.
• Knowledge of cultural continuity, substantive equality, priority of placement, customs and traditions, family unity, attachment and emotional ties and permanency through an Indigenous lens.
• Understanding of Truth and Reconciliation Child Welfare Calls to Action, the calls for justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry, and Jordan’s Principle.
• Knowledge of other risk assessment tools.
• Indigenous applicants will be given preference.

This competition may be used to fill future job vacancies.

Please Note: 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.

Where possible, submitting an electronic resume or job application is preferred. Otherwise, please return forms to PEI Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 2000, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 7N8. Applications may be sent by fax to (902) 368-4383.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO CONFIRM RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION, BY TELEPHONE OR IN PERSON PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE.

Please ensure that the appropriate Posting ID number is stated on all application forms. You can apply online or obtain an application form by visiting our web site at www.jobspei.ca**. Forms may also be obtained by contacting any PEI Government office, ACCESS PEI Centre, Regional Services Centre, or by telephone (902) 368-4080.**

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