Position:                              Collaborative Practice Knowledge Keeper/Facilitator

Status:                                  Regular Full-time

Department:                      Child Protection

Location:                             2020 Yukon Street, Vancouver BC

Classification:                   Delegated Grid 20 – 24 (+1 TMA)

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 welfare practice with Vancouver’s Indigenous community!
• Receive a competitive salary of $65,844.70 to $86,668.39 annually PLUS a comprehensive benefits package!
• Take on a challenging role that provides membership in the Public Service Pension Plan!

The objective of the Child Protection Program is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to work towards the preservation of families. The Child Protection Program provides a continuum of services, from preventive programs which support and maintain families, to services that ensure permanency for children in care.

 

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Collaborative Practice Team Leader, the primary role of the Collaborative Practice Knowledge Keeper/Facilitator is to provide cultural protocol requirements for Collaborative Practice.  The role will also co-ordinate and facilitate collaborative practice meetings which include Family Case Planning Conferences (FCPC) and FCPC’s at court, Integrated Case Management (ICM) Meetings (for complex cases), Family Group Conferences/Family Group Decision Making. The role of the Collaborative Practice Knowledge Keeper is to support Social Workers in providing restorative approaches in their work with families when addressing Child Protection concerns at the earliest point of contact (Intake Team Referrals), conflict or any other identified barriers to ensure forward planning for the family.  The position may also be asked to facilitate Restorative Practice Consultation and Review Circles in Cross Program Integrated Case management practice.

 

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Collaborative Practice Program is a co-operative planning process that is available to families whose children are identified as needing safety and supports. It provides a non-adversarial route for developing safety and family plans.  This is an alternative dispute resolution process that can be utilized as an alternative to the court process or in conjunction with the court process with the goal of positive change for the family. The Collaborative Practice Facilitator role with the social worker, immediate and extended family (kinship), Indigenous Community and other supports identified by family to develop a family plan to address child protection concerns.  These protection concerns are identified in the various structured decision-making tools and assessments used by the social worker. These processes also include family finding discussions to ensure that the children’s immediate and extended families identify alternative family caregivers.

The Collaborative Practice Program is paramount in guiding Restorative Child Welfare Practice and Trauma-informed approaches as outlined in VACFSS policy, “Keeping Our Children Safe”. The Collaborative Practice Program, in keeping with the new Federal Legislation respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families is an inclusive and collaborative process to ensure the principles of the Act. As of Jan 1, 2020, every service provider providing child and family services in relation to Indigenous children must adhere to in decision making principles which includes, best interest of the child, cultural continuity, and substantive equality. The new Act also affirms jurisdiction over child and family services for Indigenous communities and provides a framework for communities to enact laws in relation to child and family services.

Most integral to this process is the Collaborative Practice Knowledge Keeper’s work is 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 when identified.

A complete position profile will be made available upon request as well as at the time of the interview.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• A Master of Social Work (MSW) or
• a master’s degree in a related social services field; or
• a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW); or
• a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care; or
• a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in a related social services field with a minimum of 2 years of related experience in child and family services; plus

 

Experience:

• Three (3) years of previous experience coordinating and facilitating various family meetings involving various stakeholders and community partners; and
• The ability to express and represent Indigenous culture and perspective; and
• Training in mediation and facilitation of sharing circles within a traditional Indigenous context.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered where an incumbent has experience as a cultural practitioner with facilitation and mediation experience.

 

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 barriers and 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.
• Knowledge of Federal Legislation: An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families
• Must have a strong sense of ethics, trust, and safety regarding personal boundaries.
• Good investigative skills and knowledge of extended family practices within Indigenous 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.
• Keep tracking details up to date and document/load all family plans on the ICM computer system.
• Possess excellent organization skills.
• Computer Skills for Microsoft, Outlook and the ICM system.

 

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.
• This position requires the incumbent to be available in the office.
• Applications will be accepted from qualified Indigenous candidates only per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code.

 

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

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested applicants may apply at www.vacfss.com or by using the following link: https://www.vacfss.com/join-us/apply-for-a-job/.  We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will be accepted from candidates with the above qualifications or from candidates that have delegated experience with MCFD or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency. An eligibility list may be created. Preference may be given to Indigenous candidates as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code.

Situated on the unceded and occupied territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and Stó:lō nations.