Home Study Writer

StepStone Family & Youth Services•Benton, KY

19d

About The Position

StepStone Family & Youth Services is seeking a Home Study Writer to assess prospective foster, kinship, and adoptive families and prepare reports that support safe and successful placements. The role includes interviewing applicants, conducting home visits, evaluating household safety and caregiver readiness, reviewing documentation, and making recommendations about approval, licensure, or placement suitability. The writer works with applicants and agency teams while maintaining accurate records, meeting established timelines, and protecting confidential information. The position requires regular travel, including use of a personal vehicle, and is identified as a driving position. The Home Study Writer participates in staffing meetings, supervision, training, and quality assurance reviews, and may respond to requests for home study updates, revisions, or addendums. StepStone Family and Youth Services provides residential and family services for children and youth who need alternative living environments. Its services include connecting children with foster families, foster care training, respite care, support services, and guidance for young adults transitioning from foster care to independent living.

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-certified Home Study Writer.
Knowledge of recruiting strategies, including social media platforms.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Ability to cold call, pursue warm leads, and convert candidates into new colleagues.
Ability to remain customer-focused and use independent judgment in problem solving.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Project management, new business development, and customer retention skills.
Documented track record of achieving targeted objectives.
Critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and sound business judgment.
Strong telephone presence and written communication skills; ability to work as a team player and demonstrate leadership.
Initiative, judgment, creativity, enthusiasm, and leadership ability.
Organizational, 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 requirements, and licensing standards, and ability to implement them effectively.
Flexibility with work schedule and job duties, and ability to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly using a personal vehicle that meets agency safety and general condition requirements.

Responsibilities

Interview prospective foster, kinship, and adoptive families.
Conduct in-home visits to assess family dynamics, home safety, and caregiver readiness.
Collect and review 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 home study updates, revisions, or addendums as needed.
Ensure confidentiality and ethical handling of client information.