“WHAT WE DO TOGETHER…OUR H.E.A.R.T IS OUR DIFFERENCE.”

Do you have a genuine passion in promoting the values of Indigenous culture working with and for Indigenous children, youth, and families (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) while respecting their cultural diversity?
If so, consider joining our Xyólheméylh work family. We are a fully delegated Indigenous Children & Family Services Agency providing programs and services to Indigenous children, youth, and families on and off reserve within Stó:lō Territory in the Fraser Valley between Yale First Nation and Surrey BC.

Our programs and services are created and delivered with the support of our Elders Advisory Council with special attention on strengthening culture and identity, while honoring the strength of families.

• We strive to work in a holistic way to keep families together and reintegrate children back with their families and extended families.

• Our service delivery is done with an open heart and an open mind focusing on the best interest of the family while keeping children at the center.

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  We work to ensure children are connected to their family, and community while striving to ensure their inherent rights to heritage and identity are upheld in all we do.
  Stó:lō Generalist Social Worker- 1757

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to a Delegated Team Leader, social workers will work within the Stó:lō communities to provide culturally appropriate, and responsive, community-based services. Services will fall within the parameters provided by the BC Child, Family and Community Services Act and the Aboriginal Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI).
Services will support Communities in building preventative programming that strengthens the capacity and involvement of the Community in protecting, supporting, and planning for its children. The Social Worker will be the first point of contact for any child protection report, and will work in partnership with Families, Community Members, Band Designates, identified Elders, and other identified supports, in all Case Planning and Service Delivery decisions. The Social Worker will provide services within the realm of, Family Development Response, Protective and Voluntary Family Service, and Guardianship. The Social Worker will become knowledgeable of, and competent in the practice of Community Protocols, and will participate in important Community events and ceremonies.
Xyólheméylh is proud to have an Elders Advisory Council to ensure that culture is embedded throughout the agency ensuring the goals, missions and values are upheld in a good way. Lets’emót – to be of one heart and one mind.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor of Social Work Degree or a Social Services degree
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the Human Services field would be an asset.
• Must be delegated or willing to attend delegation in the province of BC.
• Preference may be given to applicants with the Child Welfare Specialization from an accredited British Columbia university and who have completed their practicum in a child welfare setting.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous Communities, Families, Children & Youth in a human services and/or Community Development Capacity.
• Ability to comply with practice standards set out in the Child Protection Response Policy (Chapter 3), B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act, and the Aboriginal Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI) Manual.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the generational impacts of colonization, the Residential School System, and historical child welfare policies, on Indigenous people and their families; as well as the findings of the TRCC and recommendations.
• Knowledge and appreciation of Stó:lō cultural practices and traditions and how culture impacts the development of individuals and communities.
• Demonstrated interpersonal & communication skills, and ability to work collaboratively to provide coordinated service.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License (no restrictions); reliable transportation with adequate vehicle insurance.
• Criminal Records Check is a requirement.

• Receives, assesses, and responds to concerns of child abuse and neglect by interviewing parents, children, and youth, assessing strengths and needs, inquiring with appropriate agencies developing safety plans, and determining if children or youth are in need of protection.
• Offers supports to families through referrals to community services, or offering voluntary agency support services, or providing ongoing support services.
• Other, more intrusive actions may be required that involve moving the child to an in care or out of care placement and/or court processes.
• Works respectfully and collaboratively with Designated Band Reps and Indigenous communities and to support children, youth, and families.
• Collaboratively develops and implements plans by identifying client needs, establishing long- and short-term goals and resources to support the children and families.
• Ensures the ongoing management of cases by monitoring progress towards goals, coordinating services, consulting with other service providers, examining the terms of the contract and making referrals to other agencies.
• Prepares documentation for court, files documents, and ensures legislative requirements are addressed and timelines for serving notice follow the Rules of Court.
• Prepares clients for court by explaining the purpose, ensuring client has access to legal counsel, informing the clients of other witnesses and explaining expected court behavior and appearance.
• Prepares and presents evidence for Family Court, determines admissible evidence, instructs legal counsel regarding the type of court order sought, prepares for hearing, negotiates times, witnesses for hearing, and presents testimony.
• Facilitates alternative processes for dispute resolution. Collaboratively engages families in determining appropriate processes (e.g., family group conference, mediation etc.) then arrange, implement, and participate in the selected process; assess and ensure that the resulting plan addresses child safety.
• Acts as the legal guardian of children in care by assessing the child’s strengths and needs regarding permanency, identity, placement, health, legal, education/social recreational activities, and self-care/independence skills.
• Develops Family Plans with the purpose of reuniting the child with the family, and/or develops an alternate permanency plan for the child/youth. Coordinates and monitors any community service for the family.
• Work with/support families facing challenges which may occasionally involve exposure to unpleasant dealings with angry, abusive, or abused clients; exposure to hazards from frequently working around volatile parents and/or children in crisis.