Adoptions & Permanency Worker

Northern Children Services • Philadelphia, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Join our team as a Full-time Adoptions and Permanency Worker and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families! Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future? Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision. We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation. We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness.

Adoption/Permanency Worker Job Summary
Under the direction of the Supervisor or Director of Adoptions/Permanency, the Adoptions/Permanency Worker is responsible for providing comprehensive case management to youth and families pursuing adoption or permanency. It is the responsibility of the Worker to provide adoptive families with consultation and training regarding the adoption process. It is the expectation of the Supervisor/ Director that the Adoptions Worker assists in ensuring continuous program compliance through the completion of timely submission of SWAN units, adhering to changing policies as it pertains to the duties of the program, and effectively managing a caseload of SWAN units consisting of – Child Profiles, Family Profiles, Family Matching, Placement, Child Preparation, Child Specific Recruitment, Adoption Finalization, and Post-Permanency Services.

THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION CONSIST OF:
Communication
Clearly and effectively communicates all pertinent information to all involved parties as required by state and local regulations and agency standards. Such information is not limited to scheduled consumer meetings, appointments, and visits.
Advocates for the needs of the consumer and resource family to obtain needed resources.
Participates in weekly supervision with Adoptions/Permanency Supervisor or Director.
Documentation
Completes all required documentation that coincides with the specific SWAN unit timeframe. in a timely manner.
Document all case contact with identified consumer, birth family, kinship/resource parents, and other relevant parties on a weekly basis, through the SWAN portal time and cost of specific SWAN unit in using agency guidelines and format.
Case Planning
Schedules file reviews and visits at times convenient for all involved parties.
Manages time to complete both direct service requirements, paperwork and prepare for meetings.
Works jointly with other agencies to ensure continuity of service on behalf of the consumer and resource family.
Prepares adequately for weekly supervision to ensure case reviews occur on a consistent basis.
Professional Growth
Attends and completes all required trainings and pursues other training for professional growth.
Represents the agency at SWAN quarterlies, conference meetings and trainings.
Participates in performance improvement activities.
Completes other Duties as assigned
BASIC SKILL SETS
Good working knowledge of the Child Welfare System. Knowledge of and ability to navigate other systems.
Working knowledge of the use of computers and pertinent software programs.
Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
Ability to define problems, collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to communicate and interact with all staff.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, consumers, vendors, and the public.
Northern Children's Services supports the healthy development of children and youth, while stabilizing their families to build stronger communities. Everything we do at Northern Children's Services is designed to create a better future for our families.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field required.
• 1-2 years’ experience in related field highly Preferred.
• Experience working in child welfare for 1-2 years.
• Possess knowledge of trauma related issues regarding children living outside their birth family.
• Good working knowledge of the Child Welfare System.
• Knowledge of and ability to navigate other systems.
• Working knowledge of the use of computers and pertinent software programs.
• Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
• Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
• Ability to define problems, collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to communicate and interact with all staff.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, consumers, vendors, and the public.
• Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
• Apply person-first, strengths-based language: Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").

Nice To Haves

• 1-2 years’ experience in related field highly Preferred.

Responsibilities

• Providing comprehensive case management to youth and families pursuing adoption or permanency.
• Providing adoptive families with consultation and training regarding the adoption process.
• Ensuring continuous program compliance through the completion of timely submission of SWAN units.
• Adhering to changing policies as it pertains to the duties of the program.
• Effectively managing a caseload of SWAN units consisting of – Child Profiles, Family Profiles, Family Matching, Placement, Child Preparation, Child Specific Recruitment, Adoption Finalization, and Post-Permanency Services.
• Clearly and effectively communicating all pertinent information to all involved parties as required by state and local regulations and agency standards.
• Advocating for the needs of the consumer and resource family to obtain needed resources.
• Participating in weekly supervision with Adoptions/Permanency Supervisor or Director.
• Completing all required documentation that coincides with the specific SWAN unit timeframe in a timely manner.
• Documenting all case contact with identified consumer, birth family, kinship/resource parents, and other relevant parties on a weekly basis, through the SWAN portal.
• Scheduling file reviews and visits at times convenient for all involved parties.
• Managing time to complete both direct service requirements, paperwork and prepare for meetings.
• Working jointly with other agencies to ensure continuity of service on behalf of the consumer and resource family.
• Preparing adequately for weekly supervision to ensure case reviews occur on a consistent basis.
• Attending and completing all required trainings and pursuing other training for professional growth.
• Representing the agency at SWAN quarterlies, conference meetings and trainings.
• Participating in performance improvement activities.
• Completing other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost.
• Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance.
• Range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance.
• 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• Generous paid time off or sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential referral and counseling services.
• Self-funded legal services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level