Alternative Care Worker

The Alternative Care Worker provides consultation and expert advice regarding Alternative Care Provider issues in accordance with an Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families and the Manitoba Child and Family Services Act. The Alternative Care worker must adhere to the placement priority in accordance with these Acts. The Alternative Care Worker is responsible to provide support services to Alternative Care Providers to promote family-based care.

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) preferred; a degree in Social Work, Child and Family Services, Psychology, or related Social Sciences is acceptable.
• Equivalent combinations of education, lived experience, and relevant work experience may be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years experience working in child welfare or community-based services with minimum 1-year direct alternative care experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to):

• Responds to enquiries/concerns regarding alternative care.
• Complete intakes with individuals interested in becoming care providers, for the purpose of screening for suitability.
• Alternative Care Workers will have individuals interested in becoming a care provider complete a personal biography to determine if their values align with the mission of the agency: to ensure children are safe, protected and given opportunities to reach their full potential.
• Completing home studies for the purpose of licensing general homes to provide out-of-home care for children requiring placement.
• General Home Licenses are completed with a licensing checklist and satisfactory home study.
• Ensuring all necessary checks such child abuse, criminal record and prior contact are completed and assessed for risk on each applicant and household members over 18 years of age.
• Prepare alternative care provider file for review by Director of Alternative Care.
• Monitoring alternative care homes within provincial licensing standards.
• Request for variances and addendums to general and kinship home licenses.
• Ensures alternative care providers receive orientation and relevant training.
• Assists with alternative care provider recruitment strategies.
• Manages alternative care files as assigned by the Director of Alternative Care.
• Develops, organizes and participates in Agency activities relating to alternative care providers' functions.
• Contact person for the Damages Claim report for the care providers. Responsible to ensure that the incident form, receipts, faxes, and Letters of Approval/License are forward to the appropriate party.
• Ensures placement for children in care is in accordance with An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families consistent with placement priority.
• In collaboration with Customary Care worker, prioritize seeking out extended family for the placement of children (during initial need for placement as well as when children are placed in emergency or general homes).
• Collaborate with the Southern First Nations of Care CART representative for all PPD placement referrals.
• Collaborate with external placement resources (Group 2 resources).
• Ensures information regarding alternative care homes is entered on FCM files on CFSIS.
• When placement in other nations is being considered, ensures courtesy call is completed and agreement is obtained prior to placement.
• Completes Place of Safety assessments and paperwork in accordance with provincial standards and regulations.
• Ensuring Places of safety are licensed prior to expiry.
• Adheres to provincial standards and regulations regarding the removal of children from an alternative care home.
• Adheres to provincial standards and regulations regarding the refusal or revoking of general home license.
• Conduct in-home visits at minimum every 8 weeks or more frequently, when required.
• Ensuring general home and kinship home licenses are in compliance with provincial standards and regulations.
• Independent and complex problem-solving methods.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to have direct conversations with care providers regarding the importance of promoting the child or youth's cultural identity alongside Niigaan Asemaa.
• Ability to work closely and effectively with Direct Service.
• Provide clear documentation on all intakes and referrals, ensuring documentation of FCM files is current.
• Create an environment that promotes collaboration within the Alternative Care unit.
• Adhere to Duty-to-Report guidelines as per the Manitoba CFS Act.

Qualified candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check, child abuse registry check, and a prior contact check as a condition of employment. Sagkeeng Community members and Indigenous candidates will be given preference and are encouraged to self-identify as being of Indigenous descent.