Why This Training Matters Now More Than Ever
Working with Indigenous children, families, and communities requires compassion along with a deep understanding of the legal frameworks, cultural contexts, and systems that influence their lives. The Family Support Worker Training offered by the Indigenous Perspectives Society (IPS) equips participants with exactly that, foundational knowledge and practical tools grounded in both Indigenous and Western systems.
Whether you’re a frontline worker, advocate, or community leader, this training is an investment in professional development. It’s a commitment to cultural safety, legal awareness, and effective advocacy. Here are five key takeaways that demonstrate the value and impact of the course.
- You’ll Redefine What It Means to “Support” a Family
One of the first lessons this training instills is that family support is not about fixing, it’s about empowering. The course begins by unpacking the complex, multi-dimensional role of a Family Support Worker (FSW), and the ways in which advocacy plays a central role. Participants explore how to:
- Navigate multiple roles (navigator, advocate, collaborator)
- Build trust with families in crisis
- Empower parents and caregivers to find their own solutions
You’ll leave with a broader, more nuanced understanding of support that centres the voice and strength of the family.
- You’ll Build Legal Confidence Around the CFCSA and Federal Act
Legal knowledge can feel intimidating, but this training breaks it down. Through interactive case scenarios and guided discussions, participants gain clarity around:
- The Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) and how it shapes child welfare decisions in BC
- Key sections like Section 13 (protection concerns) and Section 14 (duty to report)
- The impact of the Federal Act respecting Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and families
You won’t become a lawyer overnight, but you’ll walk away with confidence to identify legal pathways, risks, and rights when supporting Indigenous families.
- You’ll Understand the Power of Integrated Case Management
Gone are the days of working in silos. Today’s FSWs are expected to collaborate with a web of professionals and community members. This training provides practical insight into:
- Building circles of support through case conferencing and collaborative decision-making
- Working alongside social workers, Elders, educators, health providers, and Nation reps
- Using family group conferencing and traditional decision-making methods
Beyond Theary, you’ll learn how to practice community-driven, culturally safe coordination that puts the child’s best interests at the center.
- You’ll Gain Tools to Navigate Conflict with Compassion
Conflict isn’t the exception in support work, it’s the norm. The course dedicates a full module to communication and conflict transformation, giving participants hands-on strategies to:
- De-escalate tension and listen deeply
- Identify their own conflict styles
- Communicate across cultural lines with respect and awareness
These skills don’t just help in crisis, they build long-term relationships that center healing and trust.
- You’ll Be Part of a Movement for Systemic Change
At its core, this training goes beyond case files and documentation (although yes, you’ll learn how to write stronger notes too). It’s about shifting systems. Participants explore:
- The historical impact of residential schools and intergenerational trauma
- How to uphold Indigenous jurisdiction in child welfare practice
- Why the role of the FSW is critical to transforming harmful colonial systems from within
Graduates don’t just “do the job” they become allies, advocates, and informed changemakers within their communities.
Who Should Register
This training is designed for:
- Family Support Workers, Family Navigators, or Preservation Workers
- Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals working with Indigenous families
- Community members looking to enhance their advocacy and support skills
- Anyone ready to engage with Indigenous child welfare in a respectful, culturally-informed way
Why Invest in This Training?
Indigenous children and families continue to be overrepresented in the child welfare system. Change starts with knowledge and action.
Ready to strengthen your impact?