This position is a member of the bargaining unit which is represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, and as such will be bound under the terms of the collective agreement.
SOCIAL WORKER (1.0 FTE, 12-MONTH CONTRACT)
The position of Social Worker is established to enhance child and family participation and quality of life by providing support to children with identified needs and their families through assessment, support and counseling, case management, education, and advocacy.
As an employee of the Niagara Children's Centre, a Social Worker may be assigned to one or more services. These include interdisciplinary preschool or school-aged services and/or other specialized services such as the Physiatry Clinic and Home and Vehicle Modification Clinic.
As an employee of Niagara Children's Centre, a Social Worker may be assigned to one or more services. These include single or interdisciplinary services, as well as specialized clinics such as the alternative and augmentative communication team. It may also include being part of the Extensive Needs Initiative.
Responsibilities of the position may include:
- Assessment: The Social Worker assesses the needs of children and their families. Through meeting with the family, the Social Worker obtains background information concerning the child and family to determine their strengths, needs and concerns. Assessment may include the use of formal testing tools. The Social Worker may also participate in interdisciplinary screening with the child/family as part of the assessment process.
- Treatment Planning: On the basis of the assessment, the Social Worker collaborates with the child/family, teacher, school, other therapists, and others who may be involved, to identify goals and to establish an appropriate treatment plan to achieve the goals.
- Intervention: Support and Counselling: The Social Worker provides follow-up for the child and family after the initial assessment to assist in the development of service plans; empower clients in effective coping, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication around the needs of the child and family; offer appropriate groups, grief support, and crisis intervention; and may attend various clinics with the child and family.
- Intervention: Case Management/Service Coordination: The Social Worker assists the child and family to obtain all required services and funding in a coordinated manner. This will involve liaison with the family, the centre services involved, and external service providers. This may also involve advocating on behalf of the child and family to be eligible for and obtain required services. In order to ensure effective communication among the various participants, the Social Worker may be required to schedule and facilitate meetings among appropriate participants from time to time.
- Intervention may be provided in various environments; through a variety of service delivery options (e.g., individual, group, parent education, home programming) on a direct or indirect or consultative basis and either in a single service or as part of an interdisciplinary team process.
- Supervision: SWs may be requested to supervise SSW’s as part of their regular workload and in doing so, must adhere to the policies established in the OCSWSSW position statement for Supportive Personnel, October 2007. SWs may also be requested to supervise students or volunteers.
- Education: The Social Worker provides education for children and families related to their specific needs. This may include topics such as social skill development, self-esteem, parenting and behaviour strategies, and negotiating the system of services available. Education may be provided on an individual or group basis. Through conferences, lectures and other training the Social Worker will keep current in new approaches and research.
- Documentation: the Social Worker is responsible for report writing in accordance with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers of Ontario guidelines (such as assessments, progress reports, transition reports, and discharge summaries). In addition, there may be documentation requirements such as internal and external referrals; funding application forms on behalf of families and various funding sources; or parent correspondence. The Social Worker is also responsible for the daily and accurate recording in the Centre’s data collection system of daily activities and clients seen and to comply with all established clinical standards for documentation.
Health and Safety:
The Social Worker will comply with the duties assigned to Workers as per Section 28 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Accountability and Freedom to Act:
The incumbent has latitude for discretion within practices and procedures covered by precedents, Centre policy and procedure manuals, standards of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, and supervisory review.
Key Relationships:
The Social Worker is concerned with the effectiveness of all relationships that affect the Centre. The following are particularly significant to the position:
External:
- Children, and their families and other caregivers
- Regulated professionals involved in the care of the child/family such as physicians, public health personnel, nurse practitioners
- Teachers and Educational Assistants in all school and childcare systems
- Staff of Community partner agencies and programs
- Vendors and suppliers of equipment and services being considered for use by clients
- Staff at relevant government offices/branches that are responsible for approval and/or provision of client-specific funding, services or equipment
- Case managers at HNHB LHIN
Internal:
- Staff at all levels in the organization
Performance Factors:
In assessing the performance of an incumbent in this position, the following factors will be utilized as appropriate:
- Workload and productivity relative to established standards
- Clinical outcomes – the degree to which care plans are well-designed and goals are achieved
- Documentation – the accuracy, relevance and timeliness
- Relationships and communication with – clients and families, colleagues, staff from other agencies
- Demonstration of specified clinical competencies or advanced competencies as appropriate
Position Specifications:
Education:The minimum specifications for an incumbent will include:
- Registration as a Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Knowledge/Skills:An incumbent will be expected to have the following knowledge and skills:
- A sound understanding and skill in the practice of Social Work
- The ability to work effectively with children and their families
- Experience working with school-aged populations would be considered an asset
- Sufficient computer literacy in Microsoft Office to complete work requirements
- Strong understanding and experience with virtual care support
Other:- Access to reliable transportation and possession of a driver’s license valid for the province of Ontario is required
- A current criminal reference check for vulnerable populations
- CPR certification
- Evidence of non-violent crisis intervention training
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