Family Finder - Fort Albany

Ncchamber; North East; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job description

Posted: February 19, 2025 Post Until Filled

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the First Nation Representative Lead, the Family Finding Worker (FFW) provides support to Kaa Yaa Me Sta Maa Ket First Nation Representative and Prevention Services staff in all aspects related to family finding. The FFW uses the methods and strategies from the family finding model to locate and engage relatives of children/youth in care or at risk of entering care so that every child may benefit from lifelong connections that only a family provides. Family Finding is a process that is a strongly values-based model with clear and definable goals (Discovery, engagement, planning, decision making, evaluation, and follow-up supports).

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Through the use of technology, file research, genograms, family research tools, and interviews, the Family Finder will:
2. Seek out Kin in order to:

• Build on existing relationships.
• Promote stability for children and youth.
• Provide viable options to admission to care.
• Enable continuity of relationships between family/community members and the child/youth.
• Maintain the integrity of children and youth’s connections to Indigenous and other relevant cultural groups.
• Explore opportunities for life-long connections for older youth in need of support.

Conduct thorough reviews of relevant case files to assist in identifying family members or other key people in the child/youth’s natural network who may be options for placement, permanency planning, and/or supporting life-long connections.

Conduct interviews with a child/youth’s caregiver, relatives, community members, or the child/youth themselves to assist in identifying Kin. Support foster youth in developing meaningful and enduring connections with adults who will support them across their lifespan.

Attempt to locate/identify Kin through the use of available technology and various research techniques and resources.

Collaborate with all Kaa Yaa Me Sta Maa Ket employees and services to ensure that all relevant information relating to the search for Kin is shared and explored.

Maintain connections that are healthy, safe, and permanent relationships between children, youth, families, and supportive adults regardless of what circumstances they may find themselves in.

Support youth in developing a healthy sense of identity and regain dignity as well as providing family members with the opportunity to meet the needs within their family system.

For individuals with lifetime care needs, increase connectedness, decrease dependence on the formal service system, and enhance family-driven decision making.

Focus efforts to achieve the anticipated outcomes that include an increase in reunification rates, improve well-being, placement stability, transition out of the child welfare system, decrease re-entry rates, and stronger sense of belonging for children.

Participate in case conferences, family circles, placement planning, and case conferencing.

Delivery of service is completed in a safe manner and exhibits good judgment, professional conduct, and problem-solving skills.

Educate staff and community members about Family Finding and widening family and community participation.

Promote the philosophy of family finding, which includes safety, building on family strengths, inclusiveness, permanency for children, cultural holistic approaches, family preservation & reunification, family, and community collaborative decision-making.

Maintain an accurate record of contact information of guardians, parents, family members, Elders, counselors, legal services, consultants, community service providers, and other resource contacts.

Prepare and maintain regular reports as required.

Perform other tasks and assignments as requested or required by the supervisor.

Complete other related professional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Social Work or Social Services Worker Diploma or willingness to attain preferred.
• A combination of direct experience working with families, groups, and organizing community programs.
• Ability to work cooperatively with community leaders, members, and groups.
• Ability to serve as a positive role model in the community.
• Must have experience in working directly with First Nations.
• Ability to speak Cree is an asset.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Willingness to travel.
• Willingness to work temporary assignments in satellite offices.
• Experience in writing proposals would be an asset.
• Participation in Module training required.
• Must provide a Vulnerable Sector Check prior to employment.

Please submit cover letter and resume along with three recent work references with their email addresses to [e-mail]. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.