Indigenous Child and Family Well-being Worker

Family & Children Services•Pembroke, ON

2d•CA$62,893 - CA$96,915•Hybrid

About The Position

Family & Children’s Services of Renfrew County is a multi-service agency committed to providing preventative, protective, and socially inclusive services and programming that empower and strengthen everyone. We are focused on cultivating a team-oriented work environment where everyone thrives. Our goal is to develop and strengthen collaborative partnerships to increase availability, accessibility, and quality of care to our communities. Our agency commitments include moving forward Anti-Oppressive Practice, French Language Services, and working alongside Indigenous Communities. The Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Worker (ICFWBW) provides protection and well-being services in accordance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA), Ontario Child Protection Standards, Signs of Safety framework, and agency policies, while integrating Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing into all aspects of service delivery, supporting Indigenous children, youth and families in maintaining meaningful connections to their family, extended family, community, culture, language, traditions, spirituality and identity. The ICFWBW works from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally grounded approach, supporting the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being of Indigenous children, youth, and families. This includes engaging families, communities, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers through culturally meaningful practices such as circle, Seven Grandfather Teachings, and land-based and relational approaches. This position is designated and authorized to perform the duties of a Child and Family Protection Worker in accordance with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. The role includes investigation, ongoing protection, and integrated/community-based work while maintaining compliance with legislative obligations and supporting culturally appropriate planning, kinship, and customary care.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse population and commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and inclusivity.
Strong clinical judgment, critical thinking, and evidence-informed practice.
Thorough understanding of the impact of colonization, residential schools, and intergenerational trauma.
Knowledge of Indigenous teachings, including Seven Grandfather Teachings, circle, and relational approaches to healing and decision-making.
Building respectful, collaborative relationships with children, youth, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Bands, Indigenous communities and service providers.
Ability to build respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.
Strong communication, facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills.
Organizational and time management skills; ability to manage competing priorities.
Proficiency in documentation, information management systems, and digital tools.
Knowledge of culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and child-centered practices.
Understanding of band notification, engagement with Band Representatives, customary care, and Indigenous child welfare responsibilities.
Knowledge of CYFSA and related legislation, including privacy obligations under Part X.
Demonstrated knowledge of, and linkages with, the education sector to support the resolution of issues that may impact student learning.
Strong knowledge of and connection to Indigenous teachings, history, culture, and healing practices, including the Seven Grandfather Teachings and circle.
Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of colonization, residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and intergenerational trauma.
Experience supporting Indigenous children and youth within multiple systems (for example education, health, and community services), including navigation and advocacy.
Commitment to continuous learning and culturally responsive practice.
Commitment to culturally responsive and Indigenous-led practice in alignment with the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) is required.
In exceptional circumstances, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and demonstrated relevant skills and experience in child welfare, social services, or Indigenous community-based work may be considered.
Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations, including respectful engagement with Indigenous community members, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience and a strong connection to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, traditions, and practices is considered a significant asset.
French language skills are considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Assess safety and risk, determine service responses, and collaborate with families, Indigenous communities, and collateral partners using both clinical and culturally grounded approaches.
Complete investigations, case management, and service planning in line with CYFSA, Child Protection Standards, and agency policies, while incorporating Indigenous teachings and practices.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation and participate in supervision, team collaboration, and ongoing professional development.
Ensure services are provided in compliance with applicable legislation, including the Ontario Human Rights Code, AODA, OHSA, and FLSA where applicable.
Uphold commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and support Indigenous self-determination in service delivery.
Recognize the importance of family, extended family, community, culture, language, land, spirituality, ceremony and identity.
Work respectfully with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous service providers.
Support opportunities for children and youth to reconnect with their culture, community and traditional knowledge.
Recognize that First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have distinct cultures, traditions, governance structures, protocols and approaches to child and family well-being.
Receive and assess referrals, conduct investigative interviews, complete safety and risk assessments, develop safety plans, and determine next steps, while ensuring culturally respectful engagement with children, families, and communities.
Provide ongoing case management, safety reassessment, permanency planning, and service coordination, integrating Indigenous approaches such as circle, ceremony when appropriate, and community involvement.
Perform both investigation and ongoing functions, responding to service needs while prioritizing culturally responsive and community-based approaches.
Build respectful, collaborative relationships with children, youth, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous communities.
Apply the CYFSA, Child Protection Standards, Signs of Safety, and trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally grounded practices.
Comply with duty to report and duty to inform requirements under the CYFSA.
Use Structured Decision-Making (SDM) tools alongside Indigenous-informed practice frameworks.
Coordinate services with internal teams, collateral agencies, and Indigenous service providers.
Initiate and maintain contact with a child's or family's Band Representative and other Indigenous community representatives, as appropriate, to support culturally responsive service planning and decision-making.
Uphold kin-first, customary care, and family-led decision-making, incorporating Indigenous approaches to caregiving and belonging.
Support culturally grounded planning, including kinship, customary care, and family and community-led approaches.
Work collaboratively with the child's family, Band or Indigenous community regarding customary-care planning.
Consider cultural, relational and community permanency in addition to physical permanency.
Consider language, traditions, spirituality, ceremony and cultural identity as important components of the child's well-being and permanency planning.
Exercise statutory authority, including emergency protection interventions, in accordance with legal and procedural safeguards.
Engage in crisis intervention and emergency response when required.
Ensure children and youth have a voice in decisions affecting them, including culturally appropriate forums such as circles.
Identify and help address systemic and service barriers impacting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children, youth, and families.
Maintain complete, timely case records and outcome plans.
Safeguard personal information in compliance with Part X of the CYFSA and agency privacy policies.
Participate in service reviews, audits, and quality assurance activities.
Conduct interviews with children, caregivers, extended family, and community supports using culturally safe and relational approaches.
Complete safety and risk assessments, safety planning, and documentation in alignment with legislation and standards.
Facilitate circle, family conferences, and network meetings, incorporating Indigenous teachings and values.
Support families to build strengths, reconnect with culture, and develop sustainable support networks.
Assist in identifying and strengthening kinship and customary care arrangements.
Collaborate with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous communities to support planning and decision-making.
Provide education, guidance, and support to staff and service providers to enhance cultural understanding, safety, and responsiveness to Indigenous children, youth, and families.
Facilitate access to culturally relevant services, supports, and community resources.
Support court processes, placements, and reintegration planning, ensuring cultural considerations are addressed.
Provide after-hours emergency services as required.
Adhere to all FCSRC policies, Ministry Regulations, Standards, Directives, and relevant legislation.
Complete other related duties as assigned.