Position:                              Collaborative Practice Facilitator/Coordinator

Status:                                 Regular Full-time

Hours of Work:                   8:30am - 4:30am Monday to Friday

Program:                             Child Safety

Location:                             2020 Yukon Street, Vancouver BC

Classification:                    Delegated Social Program Officer, Grid 20 – 24 (+1TMA)

Salary:                                 $65,844.70 to $86,668.39 annually        

At VACFSS, we ensure that the rights, safety, well-being and spirit of Indigenous children and families are upheld, honored and protected. We strive to eliminate oppression, discrimination and marginalization within our community. We acknowledge and honor 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.

• Engage in restorative child safety practice with Vancouver's Indigenous community!
• Use your communication, collaboration and facilitation skills to build trust-based working relationships!
• Receive a competitive salary of $65,844.70 to $86,668.39 annually PLUS a comprehensive benefits package!

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.

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.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning and Facilitation by:

• Interviewing the client and family.
• Assessing the problem.
• Providing information about the organization to the client and family.
• Contacting the clients and families to assess the willingness to participate in programs.
• Family Group Conferences are family-driven processes, that involves a private family time component and is not time limited.
• Collaborative Planning Conferences are scheduled 90 minute meetings utilized to address immediate safety planning for families.
• The coordinator will also facilitate other meetings at request of the Team Leader such as; Integrated Case Management meetings and other informal family planning meetings.

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.

Integrated Case Management:

• Ensuring that the family has an advocate or support person to attend the meetings and any important conferences as required
• Ensuring that the views of the child and/or children are always heard
• Developing an analysis and plan of action around issues of resistance or reluctance
• Explaining the goals and effectiveness of their participation in the process
• Establishing an atmosphere of safety and respect that supports the strengths and integrity of the family
• Involving the family members to establish guidelines about how they would like the discussions to happen

Maintains case files by:

• Preparing and submitting meeting notes in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that any changes made to the Family Plan are well documented
• Preparing and providing information on assessments, progress reports, completing caseload statistics for client files and providing this information to the Supervisor
• Ensuring the FGC data system is accurately updated with the required information

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience:      

• MSW or Master’s degree in a related social services field; or
• BSW; or
• BA in a related social services field with 2 years of experience working in child and family services; and
• Training in facilitation of large groups; and
• C-6 delegation training to be provided

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

Key Competencies:

• Relational Engagement
• Leadership
• Collaborative Planning and Decision Making
• Emotional Competency
• Resilience
• Cultural, Spiritual Expression

Note:

• A valid Class 5 driver’s license and reliable vehicle with business class insurance are required to perform the duties of this position.
• This position requires Union membership.
• Applications will be accepted from qualified candidates.

 ABOUT THE BENEFITS:

In exchange for your contributions to VACFSS, you will receive a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, extended health, and dental
• Group life
• 100% employer-paid premiums
• 3 weeks of vacation
• Eligible for the VACFSS flex program after passing probation
• Membership in the Public Service Pension Plan
• Access to VACFSS’ Staff Cultural Clinical Counselor, Elder
• Access to Indigenous Cultural Teachings as coordinated by the Agency