JOB DESCRIPTION



TITLE INTAKE WORKER

General:

The Intake Worker is accountable to the Intake Unit Supervisor and reports directly to this person. The Intake Worker is generally the first contact for the community and families in accessing child protection services.

The Intake Workers are required to assume case responsibilities as directed by their unit supervisor or designate for other worker’s cases as directed, within the same work classification.

Education and Experience:

BENCHMARK: B.S.W./M.S.W.

Two years experience working with families and children preferably in child welfare.

Functional and Operational Responsibilities:

· To obtain/have knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for child protection in Ontario

· To have/obtain demonstrated understanding of the agency’s mission, standards, procedures and practice

· To have/obtain a thorough knowledge of the legal system as it relates to the C.F.S.A.

· To have/obtain knowledge of the Criminal Code of Canada as it relates to crimes against children

· To have/obtain demonstrated understanding of the Decision Enhancement Committees and applicability in case management

· To respond and provide service in the best interest of the child and in the least intrusive manner to all referrals/complaints on cases assigned

· To work with children and families in a goal-directed manner, which may include assessment, counseling and co-ordination of service delivery from agency and community programs

· To receive incoming child welfare referrals and provide the initial response to new or re-opened cases (e.g. crisis intervention and referral)

· To thoroughly investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect on assigned cases in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To perform assessments to determine whether on-going agency protection services are required in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To assess risk in consultation with the supervisor or designate and in accordance with the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To consult with supervisor or designate at key decision points and in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To document and present cases of emergency apprehension or planned apprehension to the Decision Enhancement Committee

· To document and present cases of moderate to high risk to the Decision Enhancement Committee, and/or CART, in consultation with the supervisor or designate

· To verify and register child abuse cases through supervision and/or Decision Enhancement Committee

· To initiate Family Court intervention where it is determined that the child may be in need of protection and cannot be protected by less disruptive alternative

· To participate in the commencement and carriage of protection and status review applications by completing all necessary Request Forms, Plans of Care; assisting agency counsel in the drafting of affidavits; deposing affidavits and serving parties as required in keeping with the Family Court Rules

· To ensure Family Court Orders are duly carried out, assure all subsequent court intervention is properly documented and clients served in accordance with court report forms and court orders

· To attend Court as required

· To complete Temporary Care by Agreement contracts with families where appropriate, and in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To facilitate any requests for records disclosure pursuant to Part VIII of the C.F.S.A.

· To obtain necessary assessments, reports and court documentation for the file and to maintain the file in accordance with professional standards of confidentiality and competence and in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To maintain contemporaneous case notes within 24 hours of any contact on all assigned cases

· To complete formal case documentation within time frames set out and in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To participate in supervision in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices

· To undertake after hours emergency duty as required in accordance with agency mission, standards, procedures and practices, child protection inter-agency protocols, and the Risk Assessment Model for Child Protection in Ontario

· To participate in the quality of service (service planning) and improve service delivery by making suggestions and recommendations to management and by way of team meetings, staff meetings, and committee meetings

· To assist in the implementation of a case plans for Family Support Workers and CYW students as required

· To work professionally and constructively both within the agency and with all community professional and clients

· To respond to requests from the community for presentations related to our work in Child Welfare

· To apply sound clinical skills in decision making

· To communicate effectively both orally and in writing

· To demonstrate the ability to effectively organize and manage time

· To work overtime or flexible hours to meet the various needs of the clients

· To performs duties in a manner that ensures the safety of self and others at all times

· To have/obtain the necessary computer skills

· To participate in all agency mandated training programs

· To acquire and update professional skills and knowledge through continuing education

· To perform other related duties as assigned by one’s supervisor or designate

Relationship Responsibilities:

· Keep the supervisor or designate informed of activities and problems which may have implications for the agency, including serious occurrences and complaints

· Accept direction from the supervisor effectively

· Communicate effectively and work co-operatively as a member of a team within a unit and the agency

· Establish and maintain good working relationships with other staff

· Perform the responsibilities of the job with tact, honesty integrity, sensitivity and objectivity, particularly in regards to professional conduct and the policy on confidentiality

Measure of Accountability:

The performance of the Intake Worker will be reviewed and measured on an annual basis in relation to job function and achievement of goals.


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