What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker IA&T - CPS In-Home Services Unit position at Nash County?
A. Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Child Protective Services In-Home Services Unit's primary purpose is to execute the agency's legal mandate to serve families in which abuse, neglect or dependency has been substantiated or found In Need of Services. Work in this unit entails:
l. Counseling and planning with the child's family intended to strengthen the ability of families to protect and care for their own children, to minimize harm to children and youth, and to ensure permanence in children's lives.
2. Arranging for provision of and assisting families in utilizing appropriate services and community resources.
3. Obtaining the cooperation of law enforcement agencies as required obtaining suitable care and services for the children in or out of their family origin
4. Initiation of court action when necessary.
B. Primary Purpose of the Position
This agency is mandated to provide services to children who have been identified as neglected, abused, or dependent. The primary purpose of the Child Protective Services In-Home Social Worker, Investigations, Assessment and Treatment, (SW IA&T) is to execute this mandate. This is an advanced, professional level casework position, providing counseling and case management services for children who are identified as neglected and/or abused or dependent. This is done so by assessing family situations to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the family system and to evaluate the level of risk the child may face in the home. The social worker also provides other services to families with children under the age of 18 years who have requested such services from the agency in conjunction with protective services. Treatment and immediate responses will be provided to crisis situations for at risk children in the most complex and hostile of cases.
C. Work Schedule
Regular working hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, in order to make the mandated number of face-to-face contacts in some situations, clients may need contact after hours and overtime may be required. Employees are given the option of flexing their workday to accommodate their clients' schedule without putting the social worker in an overtime situation. Employee serves on a rotation basis for periodic radio coverage. 2
D. Change in Responsibilities or Organizational Relationship
None
Following is a description of responsibilities and duties of this position listed in order of importance. All responsibilities and duties are essential to the effective performance of an In-Home Services SW IA&T.
A. Intervention developed
The In-Home Services SW IA&T is responsible for reviewing the case and becoming familiar with the family dynamics, identified problems and strengths of the family. Utilizing the Child and Family Team process, a Family Services Agreement is devised jointly with the family based on the Risk Assessment and Initial Case Plan. The Family Services Agreement contains objectives that are measurable, time limited, describe specific desired outcomes and identify necessary behavior changes. Identified needs, objectives and activities are directed toward alleviating the problems that lead to the abuse, neglect or dependency and addressing underlying issues that may contribute to the need for protective services. Once the case plan is devised, the helping process is defined.
B. Providing/arranging for counseling or supportive services
The In-Home Services SW IA&T provides counseling to the client directed toward the development and utilization of family support systems including recognition of development and utilization of strengths, overcoming personal, social, and environmental barriers, and utilizing agency and community resources. The worker seeks community resources to assist the client in attaining their goals.
C. Monitoring and assessment
The In-Home Services SW IA&T must monitor the Family Services Agreement and complete a Risk Assessment at various intervals in all neglect, abuse and/or dependency cases requiring continued mandated services. After a Family Services Agreement is negotiated, ongoing monitoring and assessment is necessary to determine if the plan continues to be appropriate and that the plan of intervention continues to address the identified needs of the parent and children. This monitoring includes regular interviews with the client in the home and requires collateral contact with other public agencies such as mental health, medical professionals, day care providers, health department personnel, and relatives and friends of the client. Updating the Family Services Agreement is necessary when changes in the family occur and it becomes necessary to revise the plan in order to implement an appropriate plan of protection for the child. Court action is used in the event the client does not meet the objective and the safety of the child is at risk. It is the worker's responsibility to provide the supervisor with a factual assessment in order for the joint decision to be made regarding court action. Prior to court action, the worker must complete the Risk Assessment, which indicates the risk and/or harm to the child by remaining in the home.
D. Use of the court and court preparation
Court activity is very much a part of the Social Worker's duties. Prior to the decision for court intervention or in the case of an emergency, immediately after obtaining a non-secure custody order, the worker will present her case to the Child and Family Team which makes recommendations as to alternatives to court or the children entering into agency custody. In the event that out of home placement is necessary or, to ensure permanence in a child's life, the Social Worker initiates court action through a non-secure custody order and/or petition, assesses placement options (relatives or foster care) and conjointly with the foster care worker develops an appropriate plan for the child. The worker prepares the child and family for separation, placement and the court process. The worker prepares a written assessment for the court, solicits witnesses when necessary, shares information with the child's Guardian ad Litem and testifies in court making the agency's recommendation. The worker must also follow up with written reports for court review as ordered or required. The worker may conduct an investigation of suspected abuse and when evidence of abuse is found the worker is required to report such information to the District Attorney and law enforcement within a specified time frame both verbally and also in writing. Law enforcement and the Case Manager interview the victim and perpetrator. Should the perpetrator be prosecuted, the worker may be a witness during court proceedings. Social Workers may be subpoenaed to testify in both civil and criminal proceedings due to their involvement with their clients.
E. Monitoring, reviewing, maintaining
The In-Home Services SW IA&T is responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and maintaining cases through various means. This is accomplished through frequent contact with the client by visiting them in their home, interviews in the agency and telephone contact, collateral contacts and in some situations periodic court reviews. Both face to face and collateral contacts are made monthly according to state standard. The Social Worker formally assesses the client's progress by updating and re-signing the Family Services Agreement on a quarterly basis and whenever there is a major change in the family, reassesses the risk to the child(ren) by completing the Risk Assessment form. These reviews assess the progress of the client in alleviating the factors that lead to the abuse, neglect or dependency and whether the client has been able to demonstrate they can provide a safe environment for their child (ren). Further services may be identified at this time. The Social Worker is required to present cases in the agency's foster care review team when a child comes into agency custody. This team closely monitors those children whose custody has been removed from his parents or whose custody has been placed with the Department of Social Services.
F. Interpretation of Child Protective Services
The In-Home Services SW IA&T is a member of the agency’s public forum and occasion-ally is called on to speak at meetings of community agencies and organizations in an effort to emphasize the preventive nature of the agency's services and to familiarize the commu-nity with the reporting laws. The worker assists in providing information to other agencies and local citizens to better help them understand the functions of the agency. This allows for better rapport that leads to better delivery of services and cooperation from other disciplines.
G. Employee will participate in disaster related programs, including shelter duty, as needed.
H. Other duties as assigned and required.
J. Obtain at least 24 hours of training annually, after an initial training of 72 hours before assuming case responsibility.
Other Position Characteristics
A. Accuracy required in work
Great precision is required in this work. The worker must correctly gather information to determine whether or not referrals meet the neglect/abuse laws; investigate each case according to standards to determine if neglect/abuse exists; correctly assess a child's safety needs; and continually assess a family during intervention to assist in alleviating problems which led to neglect/abuse. The worker must be able to meet state standards and assure compliance with CPS policy and best practice. Documentation, time reports, day sheets, and other state and county forms must be completed accurately and timely.
B. Consequence of error
Initial assessments, investigations, and case management decisions directly affect the safety of children. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation or reports may affect agency funding negatively and may lead to sanctions against the agency.
C. Instructions provided to employee
Instructions are provided in written and oral form by the supervisor through scheduled conferences, at agency staff meetings, and in workshops and professional training sessions attended by the employee. In addition, weeknights, weekends and holidays, a consultant is always available to assist as a second party decision-maker during all phases of CPS intake and initiation, in all child placement responsibility decisions, and in all other situations when a second party is needed.
D. Guides, regulations, policies and references used by employee
Volume l, Children's Service Manual
Service Information System Manual
North Carolina General Statutes applicable to Child Protective Services and Foster Care
Social Work Code of Ethics
County and Agency Personnel Handbooks
Instructions from Director, Assistant Director, Program Administrator, and Supervisor and On-Call consultants
E. Supervision received by the employee
Employee receives review through scheduled conferences, meetings, informal interaction, reports, and an annual performance appraisal. Review for timeliness, quality, and accuracy is also received through periodic random case reviews by the supervisor, Children's Program Representatives and the CFSR Review by State staff
F. Variety and purpose of personal contacts
Employee has contact with Unit staff, other units within the agency, clients, Health Department, other social services departments, Guardian Ad Litem Program, Mental Health, medical personnel, crisis organizations, churches, civic organizations, judicial system, law enforcement, Emergency Services personnel, and the general public. Contacts are often used as a means to assist in planning and/or meeting the needs of clients as a part of the human delivery system and to aid in assessing client's current situation.
G. Physical efforts
Employee must be able to move within and without the agency, climb stairs, and use office equipment described in #9 below on a frequent basis. Employee occasionally lifts small children, camera, suitcases, toys, car seats, etc. in performance of duties. Employee must travel to meetings within the county as well as workshops and meetings out of the county. Overnight stays are sometimes necessary.
H. Work environment and conditions
Work is performed in a county social service agency with contacts in the field. Employee encounters hostile clients, some of whom are dangerous. Clients include mental patients, alcoholics, and substance abusers who are sometimes verbally abusive and threatening. Field contacts are sometimes required even in adverse weather conditions such as snow, sleet, extreme heat and natural disasters. Employee is exposed to infectious diseases such as scabies, head lice, flu, AIDS, etc. All staff are aware of precautions to take when such events occur. All staff are also trained in the use of fire extinguishers.
I. Machines, tools, instruments, equipment and materials used
Employee uses agency computer, printer, copier, calculator, camera, automobile, telephone, cell phone, car seat and iPad in order to perform duties. When conducting investigations, employee sometimes finds it necessary to use anatomically correct dolls. Employee must have immediate access to a vehicle to perform essential functions of the job.
J. Visual attention, mental concentration and manipulation skills
Close visual attention is required when operating a motor vehicle. Intake, investigations, and case management duties all require visual attention and mental concentration. Body language, eye contact, and behavior of family members assist the social worker in assessing the family situation and must be viewed carefully. Preparation of court reports, development of protection plans, and completion of risk assessments require very intense mental concentration, as does reviewing placement options for children. The social worker must carefully document times, dates, and other factual information so that accurate assessments and recommendations are made. Employee must have physical dexterity required to successfully and efficiently operate machinery and tools outlined in I above.
K. Safety for others
Employee makes decisions daily that affect the lives of clients and continuously assesses the safety of children and the environment of our clients. Employee devises protection plans, Family Services Case Plans and completes risk assessments. Employee also makes recommendations regarding the removal of children when homes are not safe and the return of children when homes are safe. Employee must carefully evaluate the needs of children in placement responsibility and their caregivers to determine the best plans for children. Social Worker abides by confidentiality guidelines to protect clients and uses caution when operating a motor vehicle when transporting clients. See H above for issues confronting the employee and for precautions.
L. Dynamics of work
Child Protective Services and Placement Services are periodically affected by changes in methodology, guidelines, legislation, and shifting program emphasis.
1. Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques, and practices and their application to complex casework and community problems in order to effectively work with the wide cross section of clients and their presenting problems.- Minimum Training and Experience Requirements
Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work or counseling experience; or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a Master's degree in a counseling 8
field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or graduation from a four year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing the experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization.
One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.
- C. Additional Training/Experience
None
D. License or Certification Required
l. Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
2. Valid North Carolina driver's license is required.
3. Must have reliable vehicle available for work always available.
2. Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics and a range of intervention techniques.3. Considerable knowledge of developmental stages and tasks, human behavior and social economic problems and their treatment as the worker is responsible for identifying children who are abused, neglected, or dependent, assessing the contributory factors and making recommendations for solutions to the identified problems.
4. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and other resources within the community.
5. Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies which govern Child Protective Services.
6. General knowledge of methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, administrative superiors, social medical, legal, civic and religious organizations.
8. Ability to supervise, train or orient lower-level employees, students, or interns.
9. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely-orally and in writing.
10. Ability to plan and execute work effectively and meet deadlines.
11. Ability to operate an automobile.
12. Ability to use a personal computer and access the State Network.
13. Ability to effectively function under stress and to deal with conflict situations and hostile personalities.
14. Ability to function with a high level of autonomy.
15. Ability to function cooperatively with members of a team.
16. Ability to accept constructive criticism.
17. Ability to refrain from causing or contributing to disruptions or hostility in the workplace.
18. Ability to make thorough assessments through intense observation skills, interviews and social work practice and be able to accurately orally and in writing communicate the process and results of the assessment.
Minimum Training and Experience RequirementsMaster's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work or counseling experience; or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a Master's degree in a counseling field and two years of social work or counseling experience; or a four-year degree in a human services field or related curriculum and three years of social work or counseling experience; or graduation from a four year college or university and four years of experience in rehabilitation counseling, pastoral counseling or a related human service field providing the experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization.
One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.
License or Certification Required
l. Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
2. Valid North Carolina driver's license is required.
3. Must have reliable vehicle available for work always available.
Salary : $56,042
