Nash County
Senior Social Worker IA&T - CPS Investigations Unit
Nash County, Nashville, North Carolina, United States, 27856
Overview
The primary purpose of the Child Protective Services Intake / Investigations / Assessment Unit is to receive and investigate/assess referrals of child neglect, abuse and dependency including immediate responses to crisis for at risk children in complex cases. Services to families in Nash County will enhance the family’s ability to function independently and will prevent child neglect or abuse from re-occurring. Services for maltreated children are aimed at strengthening family life by supporting and improving parental/caretaker abilities, which, in turn, assure a safe nurturing home for children. Services are home-based and are preventive, rehabilitative and non-punitive with efforts directed toward identifying, providing or arranging services as needed. Social workers may provide group, family or individual treatment to clients of any age and any developmental, medical, mental, substance abuse, financial or family problem. Child Protective Services is an advanced professional level of casework. Casework is accomplished through parent/caretaker cooperation and consent or if the child’s safety is at eminent risk, through court petition as the agency’s responsibility foremost to protect the child. The social worker will analyze situations and determine the course of action often under very stressful and at times dangerous situations. A secondary purpose of the unit is to provide public education regarding risk of maltreatment, incidents of maltreatment reporting methods and procedures and the availability of preventive, protective and case management services.
Primary Purpose of the Position The primary purpose of the Child Protective Services Investigative, Assessment and Treatment social worker is to provide services to families and children in an effort to secure a more protective environment. Duties rotate among IA&T staff as follows:
Receive intake calls, interview reporter and complete the CPS Report form.
Investigate reports of neglect, abuse and dependency of children, and develop appropriate safety plans to ensure the safety of children.
Employee is required to testify in court and prepare court studies for cases petitioned to the court.
Employee will participate in the “on call” after-hours coverage for the agency.
Work Schedule Working hours generally rotate from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employees are given the opportunity to manage their workday in order to be available to accommodate client’s work and school schedules.
Change in Responsibilities or Organizational Relationship None.
All responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of a Senior Social Worker IA&T in this position and are listed in ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
Child Protective Services Intake, Assessment and Investigation (45%)
The Social Worker IA&T will receive intake calls from the community and interview the reporter to identify the allegations of child maltreatment and complete the Nash County Child Protective Services Report form to be referred for proper screening. The worker will receive referrals that meet the NC legal definition for neglect, abuse or dependency and, following the Multiple Response System, will conduct a family or investigative assessment to determine if the family is in need of further services to ensure the protection of children. The process involves reviewing agency records to be aware of family history, interviewing the parents, children, and collaterals, completing safety assessments, risk assessments, strength / needs assessments throughout the fact-finding process. The work involves visits to the homes of clients, schools, medical and mental facilities, prison facilities and other agencies. The worker will involve law enforcement when investigating cases of physical and sexual abuse, or at other times when deemed necessary. When safety concerns are discovered, safety plans will be developed with the family to ensure safety of the children. The worker will refer clients to community service agencies to address identified needs. The worker will follow standards outlined in Volume I. Chapter VIII of the Children’s Services Manual and the Multiple Response Manual. The Senior Social Worker keeps documentation of all casework current within 7 days of last contact.
Decisions are often made under stressful and sometimes dangerous conditions. This requires a highly skilled worker who is very familiar with CPS policy, state and federal laws and agency expectations. Court action is necessary when a child is found to be at immediate risk of harm. The social worker will attempt to convene a Child and Family Team meeting to address the safety concerns and help the family consider appropriate options for the children. Depending on the emergent nature of the case, the worker will either work with legal staff to file a juvenile petition or assume non-secure custody. Placement options will be explored with a focus on the least restrictive environment. The worker will prepare the family and children for the legal process and separation if necessary. The worker will prepare a written report for court and work with the legal staff in case preparation that may include testimony from casework. Work in this area also frequently involves courtroom testimony regarding case findings when criminal child abuse charges are filed or civil proceedings in custody matters.
Lead Worker (35%)
Function in the capacity as a lead worker to provide coaching/guidance to interns and to less experienced workers in case consultations that will help them achieve a higher level of performance. Provide guidance involving application of policy and other job functions including preparation of court studies. Accompany workers as a support in complex situations in absence of a supervisor. Keep supervisor abreast of any work performance or training concerns noted when coaching staff. Provide necessary support to resolve problems and ensure that quality services are provided.
Conferences and Staff Development (10%)
Supervisory conferences and staff development activities provide guidance, feedback and evaluation of the worker's interventions and an opportunity to upgrade skills and knowledge of substitute care. Such conferences also allow the opportunity to discuss program questions, agency mandates and monitoring issues as they arise.
Community Liaison (5%)
These duties include public speaking, participation on community boards and committees, and participation in community affairs relating to substitute care and child welfare.
E. Other duties as required (5%)
Participate in the agency’s after-hours coverage system.
Obtain at least twenty-four hours training annually after initial training of seventy-two hours before assuming case responsibility.
Call-in resources for emergency food or medicine and disaster related programs as needed; may work in emergency shelters and perform related disaster tasks as directed by supervisor.
Other Position Characteristics 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. The worker must be able to meet state standards and assure compliance with CPS policy. Documentation, time reports, day sheets, and other state and county forms must be completed accurately and timely.
Consequence of Error
Initial assessments, investigations, and case management decisions directly affect the safety of children including possible severe injury, neglect or child fatality. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation or reports may affect agency funding and may lead to sanctions against the agency.
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. An on-call consultant is 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 other situations when a second party is needed.
Guidelines, Regulations, Policies, and References Used by Employee
Volume I, Children’s Services Manual with focus on Chapter VIII: Child Protective Services
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, Deputy Director, Program Administrator, Supervisor and On-Call consultants
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 Child and Family Services Review conducted by State staff.
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 used to assist in planning and meeting clients’ needs as part of the human delivery system and to aid in assessing client’s current situation.
Physical Efforts
Move within and outside the agency; may climb stairs; travel to meetings within the county and out of county; occasionally overnight stays may be necessary.
Required Minimum Training Two years directly related experience in NC Department of Social Services.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
Reliable vehicle available for work.
Valid North Carolina driver's license.
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Primary Purpose of the Position The primary purpose of the Child Protective Services Investigative, Assessment and Treatment social worker is to provide services to families and children in an effort to secure a more protective environment. Duties rotate among IA&T staff as follows:
Receive intake calls, interview reporter and complete the CPS Report form.
Investigate reports of neglect, abuse and dependency of children, and develop appropriate safety plans to ensure the safety of children.
Employee is required to testify in court and prepare court studies for cases petitioned to the court.
Employee will participate in the “on call” after-hours coverage for the agency.
Work Schedule Working hours generally rotate from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employees are given the opportunity to manage their workday in order to be available to accommodate client’s work and school schedules.
Change in Responsibilities or Organizational Relationship None.
All responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of a Senior Social Worker IA&T in this position and are listed in ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
Child Protective Services Intake, Assessment and Investigation (45%)
The Social Worker IA&T will receive intake calls from the community and interview the reporter to identify the allegations of child maltreatment and complete the Nash County Child Protective Services Report form to be referred for proper screening. The worker will receive referrals that meet the NC legal definition for neglect, abuse or dependency and, following the Multiple Response System, will conduct a family or investigative assessment to determine if the family is in need of further services to ensure the protection of children. The process involves reviewing agency records to be aware of family history, interviewing the parents, children, and collaterals, completing safety assessments, risk assessments, strength / needs assessments throughout the fact-finding process. The work involves visits to the homes of clients, schools, medical and mental facilities, prison facilities and other agencies. The worker will involve law enforcement when investigating cases of physical and sexual abuse, or at other times when deemed necessary. When safety concerns are discovered, safety plans will be developed with the family to ensure safety of the children. The worker will refer clients to community service agencies to address identified needs. The worker will follow standards outlined in Volume I. Chapter VIII of the Children’s Services Manual and the Multiple Response Manual. The Senior Social Worker keeps documentation of all casework current within 7 days of last contact.
Decisions are often made under stressful and sometimes dangerous conditions. This requires a highly skilled worker who is very familiar with CPS policy, state and federal laws and agency expectations. Court action is necessary when a child is found to be at immediate risk of harm. The social worker will attempt to convene a Child and Family Team meeting to address the safety concerns and help the family consider appropriate options for the children. Depending on the emergent nature of the case, the worker will either work with legal staff to file a juvenile petition or assume non-secure custody. Placement options will be explored with a focus on the least restrictive environment. The worker will prepare the family and children for the legal process and separation if necessary. The worker will prepare a written report for court and work with the legal staff in case preparation that may include testimony from casework. Work in this area also frequently involves courtroom testimony regarding case findings when criminal child abuse charges are filed or civil proceedings in custody matters.
Lead Worker (35%)
Function in the capacity as a lead worker to provide coaching/guidance to interns and to less experienced workers in case consultations that will help them achieve a higher level of performance. Provide guidance involving application of policy and other job functions including preparation of court studies. Accompany workers as a support in complex situations in absence of a supervisor. Keep supervisor abreast of any work performance or training concerns noted when coaching staff. Provide necessary support to resolve problems and ensure that quality services are provided.
Conferences and Staff Development (10%)
Supervisory conferences and staff development activities provide guidance, feedback and evaluation of the worker's interventions and an opportunity to upgrade skills and knowledge of substitute care. Such conferences also allow the opportunity to discuss program questions, agency mandates and monitoring issues as they arise.
Community Liaison (5%)
These duties include public speaking, participation on community boards and committees, and participation in community affairs relating to substitute care and child welfare.
E. Other duties as required (5%)
Participate in the agency’s after-hours coverage system.
Obtain at least twenty-four hours training annually after initial training of seventy-two hours before assuming case responsibility.
Call-in resources for emergency food or medicine and disaster related programs as needed; may work in emergency shelters and perform related disaster tasks as directed by supervisor.
Other Position Characteristics 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. The worker must be able to meet state standards and assure compliance with CPS policy. Documentation, time reports, day sheets, and other state and county forms must be completed accurately and timely.
Consequence of Error
Initial assessments, investigations, and case management decisions directly affect the safety of children including possible severe injury, neglect or child fatality. Incomplete or inaccurate documentation or reports may affect agency funding and may lead to sanctions against the agency.
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. An on-call consultant is 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 other situations when a second party is needed.
Guidelines, Regulations, Policies, and References Used by Employee
Volume I, Children’s Services Manual with focus on Chapter VIII: Child Protective Services
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, Deputy Director, Program Administrator, Supervisor and On-Call consultants
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 Child and Family Services Review conducted by State staff.
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 used to assist in planning and meeting clients’ needs as part of the human delivery system and to aid in assessing client’s current situation.
Physical Efforts
Move within and outside the agency; may climb stairs; travel to meetings within the county and out of county; occasionally overnight stays may be necessary.
Required Minimum Training Two years directly related experience in NC Department of Social Services.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
Minimum North Carolina automobile liability insurance.
Reliable vehicle available for work.
Valid North Carolina driver's license.
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