Kinship/Foster Care Support Worker

Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Department: Child, Family Services

Reports to: Supervisor, Kinship/Foster Care

Job Summary:

The Athabasca Tribal Council is currently seeking a passionate and dedicated Kinship/Foster Care Support Worker to join our team. This role is vital in supporting the safety, stability, and overall well-being of children and youth placed in kinship and foster care settings. The Kinship/Foster Care Support Worker plays a vital role in promoting the safety, well-being, and healthy development of children and youth in kinship and foster care placements. This position provides direct support to caregivers, conducts regular home visits, and collaborates with social workers and community partners to ensure children are placed in nurturing, trauma-informed environments. The role also involves assisting with the recruitment, training, and licensing of care providers, while upholding legislative requirements and best practices. A key focus is placed on maintaining family and cultural connections to support each child’s sense of identity and belonging.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruitment of prospective kinship and foster caregivers through community engagement, information sessions and promoting public awareness.
• Screen and track new kinship and foster care applicants as they progress through the home approval process.
• Conduct routine in-person home visits with caregivers and children in approved kinship and foster homes to assess safety, well-being, and development across emotional, physical and social areas.
• Facilitate, support training and orientation for foster and kinship families, including managing registrations, delivering sessions, and ensuring required modules are completed and documented in the online data system.
• Negotiate, plan, and coordinate child placements, ensuring that the child’s unique needs are matched with caregivers' skills and capacity.
• Support caregivers in understanding their roles within the child intervention system, including child protection, legal processes, rights, responsibilities, and available supports.
• Assess each child’s individual needs to determine eligibility for financial supports, such as special rate approvals and the creation of Kinship/Foster Care Support Plans.
• Identify and address emerging risks or concerns within placements by collaborating with caregivers and professionals to develop and implement effective solutions.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all required documentation, including assessments, reports, and case notes, are entered into the organization’s digital case management system.
• Complete and maintain all licensing requirements in accordance with the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, Residential Facility Licensing Act and agency policies.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned to support organizational objectives.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Currently delegated or the ability to be delegated in the province of Alberta.
• Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed practices, and the unique challenges faced by children in kinship and foster care settings
• Working knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, legislations, regulations and related Acts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse caseload while effectively prioritizing tasks and responsibilities.
• Proficient in computer use, with strong communication skills and the ability to build supportive, collaborative relationships with children, caregivers, and professionals
• Previous experience working in indigenous communities considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Cree or Dene is considered an asset.

Requirements:

• Clear Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Clear Child Intervention Record Check.
• Class 5 Drivers License with a clear Drivers abstract.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Other titles for this role: Caseworker, Social Worker.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience working with Indigenous Organizations and/or Communities?
• Do you hold a Degree or Diploma in Social Work?
• We encourage applicants to self-identify to support our efforts to broaden the diversity of applications; however, responses are voluntary and are not necessary to have your application considered by ATC. For the purposes of employment equity, an Indigenous person is someone who identifies as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis. Based on this definition, are you an Indigenous person?
• We encourage applicants to self-identify to support our efforts to broaden the diversity of applications; however, responses are voluntary and are not necessary to have your application considered by ATC. For the purpose of employment equity, members of visible minorities mean persons, other than Indigenous peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour. Based on this definition, are you a member of a visible minority?
• Are you currently delegated in the province of Alberta?

Experience:

• social work: 2 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Class 5 Licence (required)

Work Location: In person