Caseworker - Intake (Lansdale)

Montgomery County•Norristown, PA

10d

About The Position

The Caseworker - Intake is a member of a casework unit and reports to a unit supervisor. The position provides child protective, child placement, and/or child permanency casework services. Services are family-focused and are usually delivered in biological or foster/adoptive family homes. The service area is divided regionally, but the employee is expected to travel throughout the County and occasionally outside the County. Home and placement visits may also take place out of state, as required by regulations. The employee assesses child risk, safety, family strengths, and family problems in accordance with legal mandates and best practices; responds to emergencies and crises; provides in-home protective services; and coordinates emergency child placements with legal authorities. The role manages client-family caseloads and records, promotes child safety and family stability, plans concurrently for permanency options, and petitions the Court to establish a permanency option no later than the 15th month of placement. It also provides intensive reunification services in accordance with timelines established by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. The Caseworker documents case data and actions in an automated case management system, provides mandated family-oriented social services in compliance with Federal and State laws, Department of Human Service regulations, and County policy, and uses community resources when possible. The employee monitors progress toward service goals, initiates court proceedings when necessary to protect children, assists with case preparation and court testimony, and maintains ongoing contact with provider agencies and other professionals involved with client families. The position requires scheduling flexibility to work before or after regular work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends. The employee must have a Pennsylvania driver’s license, adequate insurance, and an automobile in good working condition. Pennsylvania residency is required. Employment is subject to Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI clearance requirements. Promotions are based on meritorious service and seniority; the posting states that promotion is not subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

Six months of experience as a Caseworker Trainee; OR a CWEB (Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureate) Program Casework Intern within 60 days prior to graduation or after graduation and upon successful completion of the internship period; OR a bachelor of social work degree; OR a bachelor’s degree that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related coursework, and one year of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency.
Must obtain Child Abuse, Criminal History, and FBI clearances for employment.
Pennsylvania residency is required.
Must have a Pennsylvania driver’s license, adequate insurance coverage, and an automobile in good working condition.
Must be proficient in computer skills and use, including Microsoft Office, Word, and Outlook.
Must have scheduling flexibility to work before or after regular work hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Must be able to apply decision-making techniques and make sound judgments related to child safety and well-being.

Responsibilities

Assess child risk, safety, family strengths, and problems in accordance with legal mandates and best practices.
Respond to emergencies and crises and provide in-home protective services for children at risk.
Coordinate emergency child placements with legal authorities and provide child placement and permanency services.
Manage caseloads and case records for families receiving child welfare services, assuring child safety and promoting family stability.
Plan concurrently for permanency options for children in placement and petition the Court to establish a permanency option no later than the 15th month of placement.
Deliver intensive reunification services within timelines established by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.
Maintain case records and document data, reports, actions, and events through the automated case management system.
Provide mandated family-oriented social services in compliance with Federal and State laws, Department of Human Service regulations, and County policy.
Use community resources when possible to assist client families.
Monitor client progress toward service goals and objectives.
Initiate court proceedings when necessary to protect children and assist with case preparation and court testimony.
Maintain ongoing contact with provider agencies and other professionals involved in service provision, including police and physicians.
Complete required documentation of casework duties.
Transport client children and families as needed and complete required visits within the County, outside the County, and out of state.
Perform other related duties as assigned.