CASEWORKER CHILDRENS SERVICES

Job Summary

Reporting to the Supervisor District Operations, the Caseworker Children's Services identifies a family's childcare needs and jointly develops plans for placement in a child care arrangement that meets these needs; assesses and monitors eligibility for subsidized child care in accordance with departmental policies/procedures and applicable Provincial Legislation. Additionally, the Caseworker Children's Services will offer clients a range of services, placement and referral information to support their child care choice.

Major Responsibilities

• Conducts eligibility assessment, ensures client data is entered into Children’s Services Information System and establishes client’s fee or places client on waiting list.
• Conducts interviews by phone/virtually or in Children’s Services field office, community organizations, Social Services office and childcare centres.
• Identifies client’s short term and longer-term childcare needs; identifies several options and counsels client regarding how to make an informed placement decision in a licensed program of choice. Makes referrals or assists clients to contract with an informal care provider; establishes and validates accountability measures and invoices for payments in such cases.
• Explains policies and ensures client is aware of his/her rights and responsibilities.
• Completes applications and required forms creating an individual case file and calculates, based on income and other related factors, the rate of subsidy to be granted to clients.
• Validates client eligibility by contacting various sources, e.g. financial institutions, employers, landlords, other municipalities, thereby cross-referencing information in accordance with Provincial Legislation and Corporate, Municipal and Divisional policies and procedures. In partnership with each client, monitors and evaluates the client’s changing needs and maintains client confidentiality.
• Maintains waiting lists and contacts clients regarding vacancies, removal from list, extra support needs, priority placement, transfer etc.
• Advocates on behalf of clients by appealing the individual case recommending changes, re: policy, priority placement, fee structure, family composition, and/or special circumstances. Prepares client appeals.
• Participates as a member of a multi-disciplinary team by researching, evaluating, and providing input into the development and modification of policies and procedures related to major Divisional/Provincial initiatives or changes.
• Works with partners to ensure child care placement. Assists and supports the client to meet their childcare service plan objectives.
• Attends committee and community meetings, makes presentations, answers questions re: subsidy and policy in general.

Key Qualifications

• Post-secondary Degree or Diploma in Human Services or a related field (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, etc.) or the approved equivalent combination of education and/or related experience.

• Considerable experience working with clients through effective caseload management, including keeping detailed records and assessing client needs within a high paced human services environment.

• Considerable experience in providing service navigation by identifying resources and supports to assist clients in meeting their families needs.

• Considerable experience working in an automated environment, using advanced computer skills to work independently while effectively prioritizing time and workload.

• Considerable experience within a human services environment providing exceptional customer service using a client-centred approach to establish and maintain strong working relationships with clients, staff, community agencies and the general public.

You must also have

• Knowledge of diverse cultures, community agencies, resources, and child care programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, community agencies and the public.
• Ability to work independently and organize time and workload effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Ability to provide support to marginalized communities with an anti-racism equity lens.
• Ability to liaise with internal and external partners to provide outreach in target areas, and provide program information, and schedule appointments for clients referred by the agency.
• Knowledge of all applicable Provincial Legislation and Municipal policies and procedures.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills in order to relate to people in an objective and empathetic manner.
• Ability to support Toronto Public Service values and a workplace culture that champions equity, diversity and inclusion.

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.