Caseworker II

Definition of Class

• Entry-level professional social service work in a County Children & Youth, Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities or Human Services Agency. Participates in trainings which provide information on methods, procedures, rules and regulations necessary to perform social service and case management supportive services to children, youth, families, mentally disabled individuals, physically challenged and others to assist them with social, economic, emotional or physical adjustments. This position works under the close supervision of an administrative or professional supervisor.

Nature of Work

• Participates in training programs providing basic knowledge relative to agency purpose, services provided, client population characteristics and applicable laws. This position performs a variety of entry-level social services and case management duties, assists clients/families in using developing and using their own potential in resolving their social, health, emotional, and economic problems, guides clients/families in home and budget management, housing, child care , employment and living arrangements, and schedules/conducts interviews and follow-up visits to provide counseling. Can also testify in court under supervision and make referrals to other public and private social services and community agencies.
• Performs related work as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Gathers/assessing information, evaluating risk and safety within the family home, evaluating environmental safety of a child/family, or discussing issues relevant to the family. Direct services also include contacts with foster/kinship families, group homes and institutions caring for children under Court Order, and with adoption resources, if parental rights have been terminated.
• Treatment team planning, collaborative service with community providers, participation in Agency supportive and administrative/multiple disciplinary team meetings.
• Reports child abuse/neglect to ChildLine/Intake, completing social histories, completing child assessments, assessing risk, completing and assisting to implement safety plans, discussion and mutual completion of Family Service Plans and Child Permanency Plans.
• Makes culturally appropriate, community based referrals for child/family.
• Assess/document risk to the child's physical and/or emotional well-being through direct contact with the family members, completion of a child assessment and via collateral resources. Complete a thorough assessment of immediate threats to safety.
• Secure County Social Services Aide services for family/child as indicated for support, parent education, transportation, or assisting in providing other ancillary services.
• Transport child to medical, mental health appointments, etc., if foster/kinship/parents or County Social Services Aides are unable to do so.
• Intervene when environmental, parent-child or family crisis suggests possible harm to the child. Secure safety using available family supports. Refer child to Juvenile Court through an emergency protective order/petition alleging abuse/dependency. Prepare written summaries for Court, and testifying at all related Court
• proceedings.
• Enact out of home placement according to State and Federal laws and regulations, Agency policies and Juvenile Court requirements. Secure the least restrictive placement that meets the child's safety, emotional and
• physical needs in a culturally appropriate environment.
• Monitor child's adjustment to out-of-home placement by meeting with the child and his/her caretaker monthly minimally. Arrange visitation to occur on a regularly between parent and child to facilitate child's return home.
• Arrange for sibling visitation to occur.
• Prepare for, attend and testify at all Court hearings. Prepare correspondence to the Court and all attorneys regarding visitation plans, changes in case situations, runaways, and releases of information. Prepare progress reports/evaluations for Juvenile Court. Consult with attorneys/Court coordinators. Arrange for delivery of subpoenas. Explain rights/recommendations to clients.
• Select the adoptive home which best suits the needs of the child or sibling group. Apply for subsidy when appropriate. Prepare the child for adoption.
• Service Accountability:
• Complete case record documentation.
• Compose Court summaries.
• Complete inter-office reports.
• Keep Agency informed of out-of-office appointments through accurate use of sign-out procedures.
• Supervision and Training:
• Attend training sessions required by the State for Child Welfare Casework Certification. After completion of State mandatory training, caseworker must complete a minimum of 20 hours of training each calendar year to keep their caseworker status.
• Attend weekly supervisor sessions with the Casework Supervisor. Keep supervisor informed of significant events with clients; collaborate on treatment planning and techniques to use in contacts with families and to deal with any problems the caseworker may have in working with a family.
• Participate in peer group with all members of the unit.
• Attend inter-Agency meetings for the purpose of coordination of treatment plans. Read memoranda to keep informed of Agency procedural changes and statewide regulation changes.
• Attend staff meetings of the entire Agency personnel.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic economics, sociology, psychology and other social science principles.
• Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and their impact on the growth and development of people.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others in working with physically challenged, mentally disabled, emotionally troubled and economically disadvantaged children and adults.
• Ability to learn how to effectively interact with individuals and families and as a team member.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws and conduct individual and family interviews.
• Ability to express ideas.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree including 12 Credits in Sociology, Social Welfare or related Social Services or 2 years of experience as a county Social Services Aide and 2 years of college, including 12 Credits in Sociology, Social Welfare or other related Social Sciences
• Must have a Valid Driver's License

Supervision Received

• Supervision provided by a Casework Supervisor during regular weekly meetings, peer group, and weekly meetings with training supervisor upon hire for 3 months and as needed thereafter.

Conditions Of Employment

• Required to provide and are subject to Pennsylvania criminal and child abuse clearances as well as an FBI fingerprint clearance.