At VACFSS, we ensure that the rights, safety, well-being and spirit of Indigenous children and families are upheld, honoured and protected. We strive to eliminate oppression, discrimination and marginalization within our community. We acknowledge and honour the inherent wisdom, capacity and resourcefulness of our community in designing programs and services to care for our own children and families. Accordingly, we are dedicated to planning, developing, and implementing creative and innovative Indigenous programs and services in collaboration with members of our community and other agencies.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Collaborative Practice Team Leader, the Collaborative Practice Coordinator works collaboratively in a neutral role with the social worker, immediate and extended family (kinship), community members and other supports identified by family to develop a plan of care to address child safety concerns. The Coordinator works collaboratively with Program Social Worker to ensure that the family understands the issues identified in the structured decision making tools and also explains how the process is intended to deal with these issues.

JOB SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must have a positive attitude with a non-judgmental committed desire and concern to help children and empower families
• Knowledge of First Nations living off reserve in urban areas and the systemic barrier challenges experienced by them
• Knowledge of diverse First Nations kinship practices within communities as well as an urban environment
• Knowledge of the Child, Family and Community Service Act
• Must have a strong sense of ethics, trust and safety regarding personal boundaries
• Good investigative skills and knowledge of extended family practices within Aboriginal communities
• Possess an excellent understanding of family support teams, guardianship and social services
• Ability to establish effective and efficient working relationships with Management, Supervisors, Clinical Staff and other professionals
• Excellent facilitation, problem-solving/conflict resolution and emotional development skills. Accept feedback constructively; work independently and as part of a team
• Computer Skills for Microsoft, Outlook and the Internet

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Coordinator facilitates and helps to implement the co-operative family directed intervention planning process that is available to families whose children are identified by the Director to be in need of safety. It provides a non-adversarial route for developing risk reduction plans but is not intended to replace the court process. The parents will have the option of using this method or choosing alternative methods of dispute resolution including court. The participation of the immediate and extended families is a vital part of this initiative. This process allows the families to be directly involved with the creation of the plan or if necessary, in a supervisory role.
Most integral to this process is the Coordinator working to ensure the family is supported by allowing the family to identify their own strengths, supports and to implement the meeting in such a way that honors and reflects their cultural identity, practices and protocols.

PROVIDES AND PREPARES ALL PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPANTS TO ENSURE CLARITY OF ROLES BY:

• Providing information and referrals to other community service providers, resources and professionals as deemed necessary.
• Contacting Social Workers assigned to the case and ensuring that all relevant information concerning risk and safety concerns involving client and family are met.
• Working with a professional team and liaising with colleagues and other professionals.
• Meeting with families in their homes or communities to identify conference participants and to clarify confidentiality and potential safety issues.