Business Unit: Health Department
Location: Lax Kw’alaams, British Columbia
Reporting to: Health Director
The Lax Kw’alaams Health Department has an exciting and immediate opening for a Full – Time Family Services Worker. As a key member of the team, this role is responsible for providing culturally safe, respectful, and strengths-based support services to children, youth, and families within the community. This role focuses on promoting family stability, child safety, and overall well-being through advocacy, education, prevention programming, and direct support services.
The Family Service Worker works collaboratively with families to identify needs, develop support plans, and connect them with appropriate community resources. The position requires maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, and accurate documentation, while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and applicable legislation.
Responsibilities:
General
- Act as a liaison between the Ministry of Children and Families and NIFCS to support the development and implementation of family safety plans for children and families within the community of Lax Kw’alaams
- Coordinate family meetings to address the family safety plan and strategies that prioritize keeping children safely with their parents and families within the community
- Support NIFCS by assisting in the identification and recommendation of community caregivers who meet safety requirements and can provide temporary care for children during emergencies
- Provide preventative family support by connecting children and families with available resources and services to address basic needs and reduce risks to children’s safety and well-being
- Provide remote court support to families by attending proceedings electronically, offering guidance, and representing the interests of Band members
- Assist families in the community with completing children support related documentation, including custody applications and court paperwork and other required documents
- Build and maintain relationships with community service programs
- Record case notes, maintain confidential client records, and prepare correspondence reports
- Provide support to the community members and internal and external agencies in addressing and resolving child rearing issues, child abuse, misbehaviour or drugs and alcohol abuse
- Act as an advocate for the children, ensuring that they are raised in a safe and healthy environment
- Serve as a liaison between the children and internal and external agencies to ensure that they receive the necessary resources and help to address issues
- Helping families and individuals navigate difficult situations by assessing their needs and developing a plan of action
- Provides support to families in need, addressing issues such as poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence and mental illness
- Manages cases, counselling referrals, crisis intervention, and advocacy
- Refer clients to other social services or assist clients in locating and using community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, day care and other services
- Implement life skills workshops, substance abuse programs, behaviour management programs, and other community and social service programs under the guidance and supervision of health care professionals
- Meet with clients to assess their progress, provide support, and discuss any challenges, concerns, or barriers they may be experiencing
- Assist in the evaluation and effectiveness of client programs by tracking client behavioural changes and responses to interventions
- Advise and assist recipients of social assistance, pensions, and other benefit programs
- Provide crisis intervention and arrange for emergency shelter through appropriate agency
- Implement and organize the delivery of specific services within the community of Lax Kw’alaams
- Maintain contact with agencies involved with clients to provide information as legally required and health providers involved with clients to provide information and feedback on overall progress of client
- Working with the Brighter Futures and Head Start Departments to enroll children and families for social programs/activities
- Maintain program statistics for the purposes of evaluation and possible research
- Provide monthly reports and statistics
- Maintain confidential family files that are locked in a secure space
- May supervise volunteers from time to time and other duties as required related to this position
- Serves as the primary point of contact for family members, ensuring communication and connecting them with resources
- Facilitate workshops and prevention initiatives to inform the community about their rights, available supports, and community resources
- Collaborate with other staff to plan and deliver workshops focused on substance use prevention, education, and recovery for parents, guardians, and families caring for children in the community
- Support parents, guardians, and family members involved in the lives of children by providing guidance, education, resources, and referrals related to substance use concerns
- Provide education and support to families to increase awareness of the risks and impacts of substance use on children’s physical health, mental health, safety, development, and overall well-being, including understanding when Child and Family Services may become involved and the importance of addressing safety concerns to help prevent family separation
- Lead prevention, intervention, and aftercare initiatives for families affected by substance use and addiction
- Provide information, support, and referrals to rehabilitation, treatment, and recovery programs that best meet the unique needs of parents, guardians, and family members caring for children
- Work collaboratively with the C-92 Coordinator by identifying emerging issues and trends affecting children and families and providing recommendations based on direct service experience to support the development, implementation, and ongoing review of C-92 child and family laws, policies, and community-based practices
- Note: Perform all Other duties within the scope of the position and as determined by the Health Director.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education
- Diploma or Degree in Human Services, Child & Youth Care, or a related field; or
- Willingness to participate in employer-provided training and mentorship may also be considered
Experience
- 1 year of experience working with children and families
- 1 year of experience in related field
Competency
- Ability to maintain accurate documentation and case notes
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
- Ability to manage competing priorities and a demanding caseload
- Ability to manage high-stress situations in a calm and professional manner
- Ability to work from a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Case management and service coordination abilities
- Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Problem-solving and advocacy skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and able to quickly learn and adapt to new software systems
- Proficient in technology use, including connecting devices such as computers, TVs, and other multimedia equipment
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with children, youth, and families
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Physical Demand
- Ability to travel within the community and surrounding areas, including conducting home visits
- Ability to sit for extended periods while completing documentation and reports
Mental Demands
- Ability to manage exposure to emotionally distressing situations, including trauma, family conflict, neglect, or crisis
- You will have to complete several tasks and responsibilities at one time and must be prepared to deal with emergencies and stressful situations at any time
Condition of Employment
- You will adhere to the Lax Kw’alaams Band Code of Conduct, Code of Confidentiality, Social Media Policy and any other Policies in the Human Resource Manual
- Follow all guidelines harmoniously and cooperatively, creating a team approach in their duties for the Band’s future success
- Acceptable Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search
- Valid Driver’s License (Class 5)
Classification/Pay Scale
- $36.85/hr
- You can expect a supportive work environment, a total compensation package which includes a competitive wage, extended health and dental benefits and a pension plan.
- As per the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ Local 2365 Collective Agreement
Submission Deadline:
- Open until filled
- We invite all interested parties to reply in the strictest confidence to Human Resources: hr_resume@laxband.com
** Preference will be given to Lax Kw’alaams Band Members or qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry. However, we invite all qualified individuals to apply.
