We are proud and honoured to offer services on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm) First Nations Katzie and Kwantlen First Nations.

Opportunity:

We are looking for a Full Time Temporary Family Preservation Worker to work 35 hours per week in Vancouver starting July 15, 2024 – August 15, 2025. The Family Preservation worker will report directly to the Vancouver Manager, Programs & Services.

The Family Preservation Worker provides a variety of parenting education and supportive interventions that promote healthier family functioning, reduce risk factors, maintain safety, and increase well-being. The Preservation Worker provides support to families in goal planning and utilizes a range of strategies, community resources, and support networks to help address risks identified. The Preservation Worker will work to support parents with finding appropriate services in the community to address identified issues or barriers, assist parents with self-referrals and form completion as needed to access services as well as provide skill building in areas such as life skills, self-advocacy skills or self-management techniques.

Job Responsibilities:

• Works closely with MCFD teams to provide short term intervention to families.
• Assesses clients and families, prepares case histories, assesses problems, and outlines services provided by the organization.
• Provide counselling, parent-education, and support interventions directly to families and children.
• Plans, prepares, and conducts individual, group or family counselling sessions using therapeutic techniques drawn from theoretical frameworks such as family systems, trauma informed practice, and solutions-focused interventions. Provides crisis intervention and ongoing assessment as required.
• Promote the protection and well-being of children in their home through expedient, time-specific, flexible interventions.
• Develop and implement a counselling support and intervention plan in collaboration with the family and their ICM team.
• Implement strategies and support to prevent out-of-home placement of a child, in the family home or in the community, as appropriate.
• Respond immediately to support the family at the point of crisis. This may include purchasing necessities and dropping them off to the home.
• Enhance family and community support network, particularly in concrete needs, such as housing, health, daycare, or education.
• Co-facilitate parent education and family/children support programs and workshops.
• Work with families with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Work with at-risk and marginalized families within the community.
• Maintain positive working relationships with all professionals involved in the care of the individuals.
• Ensure that all records, reports, and documentation pertaining to service delivery are accurate, complete and in compliance with Westcoast’s policies and procedures.
• Liaise as appropriate with other agencies/professionals for purposes of consultation.
• Conduct other relevant duties as required.

Skills You Bring:

• Experience working with families who may present multiple service needs related to poverty, addictions, violence, child abuse or neglect, and mental health issues.
• Strong counselling, program planning, and communication skills.
• An understanding of integrated case management.
• A second language is considered an asset.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related Social Service field
• As this is a temporary position recent experience in Family Preservation is essential.
• Proficient knowledge of Computer operating systems (MS Word, Excel, Office, Customer Management Systems).
• Current First Aid Level C or ability to obtain this within the first 3 months of employment.
• Current Non-Violent crisis intervention certificate or ability to obtain this within the first 3 months of employment.
• Valid Driver’s License and use of own vehicle.
• Pass Criminal Record Check.

Benefits:

• Professional development and growth opportunities
• frequent in-house training (e.g., MANDT training)

Why Work for Westcoast:

Be part of a community-based agency committed to developing and strengthening our community together. As a Westcoast employee, you will benefit from:

• An opportunity to be a part of a hands-on mentoring experience, through role-modeling and
• Making a difference in your local
• A chance to do meaningful work with a committed team of professionals.
• Contribute to our commitment to being an inclusive and culturally safe environment for all.
• Join us in being allies to Indigenous peoples, on our journey to reconciliation.

About Westcoast:

Westcoast Family Centres Society ('Westcoast’) is a multi-service community-based non-profit organization delivering child-centered, evidence-based programs and services to children and families in the Lower Mainland. Our mission is to strengthen and develop healthy relationships between children, their families, and their communities. Our programs and services aim to address the unique and varied challenges faced by vulnerable families.

Joining the Westcoast team is an opportunity to be a part of a team where your skills and knowledge will make a positive impact in the lives of children and families. Westcoast takes pride in creating inclusive spaces, where its diverse workforce can thrive.

Westcoast Family Centres Society is committed to creating employment equity and providing all candidates with accessibility throughout the recruitment process. Westcoast encourages applications from people of all gender identities and expressions, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and racialized peoples.

Should you require assistance or accommodation at any time throughout the application or recruitment processes, please email Human Resources Department for confidential support.