Alternative Care Worker - Licensed Homes

Position: Alternative Care Worker - Licensed Homes
Vacancy: 1 Full-Time Contract Until May 2027
Location: Rama First Nation, ON
Closing Date: February 2, 2026
MANDATORY: A completed Application Form found on our careers page () must be included with your resume for your application to be considered.

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Reporting to the Supervisor, the Alternative Care Worker - Licensed Homes is responsible for screening, assessing, supporting, and evaluating alternative care, customary care, and resources for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect and/or are unable to live with their parents/caregivers.
• This position will be assigned a specialization focusing on the Licensed Homes function of Alternative Care with support provided in the Trainer & Recruiter function.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical:

• Responds to telephone enquiries providing information about Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services, the Alternative Care Program, Home Study Assessment process, and the challenges of Alternative Care, Customary Care and Adoption.
• Completes Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) or Indigenous Family Development Assessment (IFDA) on prospective applicants, including each member of their family, extended family, and/or boarders if applicable. The SAFE or IFDA involves an in-depth assessment in accordance with Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services requirements.
• Assesses potential problems or barriers to the successful completion of the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) or Indigenous Family Development Assessment (IFDA), and makes recommendations and decisions based on this assessment.
• Respect the First Nation’s internal process for Customary Care and ensure ongoing consultation with First Nations Designated Persons.
• Manages an assigned caseload according to Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family services standards with specific attention to post placement interview feedback to respond to separation issues as well as providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Assists the Alternative Care, Customary Care family in adapting to the changing treatment needs of the child to maximize the Alternative Care, Customary and Adoptive family’s skills, and competencies to ensure a high quality of care.
• Liaise between the Alternative Care, Customary Care family and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services staff to facilitate communication and problem solve accordingly. Represents the views of Alternative Care, Customary Care and Adoptive parents when required.
• Responds to requests from Alternative Care, Customary Care parents for support within a 24-hour period, assist Alternative Care, Customary Care parents in identifying issues, engages them in constructive problem solving and provides emotional support.
• Advocate on behalf of Alternative Care, Customary Care parents for additional resources when required.
• Completes annual evaluations in collaboration with Alternative Care and Customary Care parents including an assessment of their competencies, skill development, strengths and weaknesses, goals, specific training needs and home safety.
• Manages performance concerns and recommends closure of Alternative Care and Customary Care homes when required.
• Recommends the reclassification of Alternative Care and Customary Care homes when appropriate.
• Supports Alternative Care, Customary Care families during investigations and complaints and implements disciplinary contracts /letters of understanding with respect to changes required in the Alternative Care, Customary Care home when necessary.
• Provides support to Alternative Care, Customary Care parents during serious occurrence investigations as per Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services’ policies and procedures manual.
• Participates in the resolution of service complaints/issues, incidents and serious occurrences and provides support to the Alternative Care and Customary Care parents in cases throughout the formal complaint and implements disciplinary letters of understanding with respect to changes required by Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services personnel in the Alternative Care and Customary Care home, where necessary.
• Provides regular consultation about the availability of Alternative Care and Customary Care homes and their capacity to care for children and youth and their preferences.
• Participates as an active member of the Alternative Care, Customary Care team, attends, and provides input at team meetings, admission and planning conferences and plans of care.
• Participates in team recruitment and training efforts.
• Assists Alternative Care and Customary Care homes in working through the Adoption process with children when required. This includes supporting the natural child/ren and assisting the family through the Adoption process and separation.
• The position makes recommendations with respect to different aspects, or various parts of the Alternative Care and Customary Care program. i.e., home study, recruitment, and…