Social Worker III

Overview

Primary

Purpose:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide advanced level social work services for up to 15 children and their families in which the agency has assumed custody due to abuse, neglect and/or dependency. The focus is to assure children reside in permanent, safe and suitable homes within 12-24 months of entering foster care. The social worker may provide reunification services, or in cases where reunification does not occur seek an adoptive home, a guardianship or custody arrangement, or another alternative permanent placement (APPLA).

Essential Functions

The major responsibilities and duties of the social worker include comprehensive and ongoing assessment of children and their families, development of an Out of Home Family Services Agreement in conjunction with a Permanency Planning document, implementation of services, strategies and supports as outlined in the Family Services Agreement (Case Plan) and provide supportive counseling and guidance to resource families to insure children have their physical, emotional and psychological needs met.

This position will be expected to write court reports and testify in court including preparation and or testimony for review hearing, adjudication and termination of parental rights cases.

• The work is performed within the Child and Family Services Division.
• Continually assess information from various collateral contacts and resources in the community to determine whether children are safe in current placements and when considering reunification with parents. Report any concerns of abuse or neglect identified.
• To work with clients who can be frequently uncooperative, threatening, or hostile regarding mandatory intervention with their family.
• To stay abreast of and comply with all changes in program policies, laws and regulations.
• To arrange and accompany children to medical, mental health or developmental examinations to ensure wellbeing needs of children are being met.
• Worker must maintain regular contact with the families and various collaterals including but not limited to education personnel, medical and mental health providers.
• Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with conflict situations and hostile personalities.
• Ability to use a computer, navigate the internet, send/receive emails, and use common software applications such as Microsoft Office.
• Should be able to organize work and balance multiple cases, documentation, and other responsibilities.
• Understand family dynamics and risk factors that impact a family’s ability to care for children.
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Should be skilled at assessing and evaluating indicators of child maltreatment and utilize critical thinking skills to process barriers for clients.
• Maintain records organized and current to assist in preparing for state reviews and audits.

Comprehensive And On-Going Assessment To Include

• Strengths and Needs and Family Reunification Risk Reassessment as required by policy.
• The ability of children to function within their biological family or within an alternative family setting to include Face to face visits must occur within 7 days of placement and then at least monthly to assess the child’s adjustment to their placement.
• Service providers ability to meet the developmental, mental health, and medical needs of both the children and their families.
• Appropriateness of the resource family (foster, kinship or adoptive) and their ability to meet the specific needs of the child.
• Potential relative placements for their ability to not only provide for the immediate needs of the child but the long-term needs if the permanent plan changes from reunification.
• Use the required assessment tools and evaluations at the required time frames as mandated by policy. As required by policy at each home visit either formally or informally assess for safety and well-being needs of the children with specific policy guidelines concerning safe sleep for children under the age of 1.
• Conduct trauma screenings and refer for appropriate trauma assessment and treatment services at initiation of services and every 6 months thereafter and refer for Trauma…