Home Study Writer

StepStone Family & Youth Services•Prestonsburg, KY

19d

About The Position

The Home Study Writer assesses prospective foster, kinship, and adoptive families to support safe and successful placements. The role involves conducting interviews and in-home visits, reviewing documentation, evaluating family readiness and home safety, and preparing detailed, objective home study reports. The writer also assesses compliance with agency policies, licensing standards, and state regulations; makes recommendations about approval, licensure, and placement suitability; and communicates with applicants and partner teams throughout the process. The position requires regular travel using a personal vehicle, with 50–75% travel expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, childhood education, education counseling and psychology, another human service or behavioral science field, or public administration.
Valid Georgia driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and reliable transportation.
SAFE certification as a Home Study Writer.
Demonstrated knowledge of recruiting strategies, including social media platforms.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Effectiveness with cold calling, pursuing warm leads, and engaging candidates.
Ability to remain customer focused and use independent judgment in problem solving.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Strong project management, new business development, and customer retention skills.
Documented track record of achieving targeted objectives.
Critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and sound business judgment.
Outstanding telephone presence and superior written communication skills.
Ability to work as a team player and demonstrate leadership.
Initiative, judgment, creativity, enthusiasm, and leadership ability.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
Ability to represent the agency professionally and work in a stressful, fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle confidential information professionally and interact supportively with people of all ages.
Understanding of administrative policies and procedures regarding client and program management, structure, regulatory standards, and licensing standards, and ability to implement them at departmental and program levels.
Flexibility with work schedule and job duties, and ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly using a personal vehicle; 50–75% travel is expected.

Responsibilities

Conduct interviews with prospective foster, kinship, and adoptive families.
Perform in-home visits to assess family dynamics, home safety, and caregiver readiness.
Collect and review required documentation, including background checks, references, medical records, financial information, and training records.
Prepare detailed, accurate, and objective home study reports within established timelines.
Assess family strengths, needs, parenting capacities, support systems, and ability to meet the needs of children in care.
Evaluate compliance with agency policies, licensing standards, and state regulations.
Develop recommendations regarding caregiver approval, licensure, or placement suitability.
Maintain regular communication with applicants throughout the assessment process.
Collaborate with foster care, adoption, licensing, and permanency teams regarding placement recommendations.
Maintain complete and accurate electronic case records.
Participate in staffing meetings, supervision, training, and quality assurance reviews.
Respond to requests for updates, revisions, or addendums to home studies as needed.
Ensure confidentiality and ethical handling of client information.
Travel regularly using a personal vehicle that meets agency safety and general-condition requirements.