Family Support Specialist – Supervisor

Summary:

The Ubuntu Family Support Supervisor ensures that strength-based relationships are developed with every family which enables the effective pursuit of child development, parenting, and self-development goals. The Family Support Supervisor coordinates all program services to Ubuntu families including: early childhood education, mental and physical health services, social services, disabilities and parent development services in the program. 

This position reports to the Head Social Worker.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the assessment of needs, strengths and risks for all Ubuntu-enrolled families.
• Ensure intensive family support relationships are built and maintained with all Ubuntu-enrolled families via regular in-person, phone and written contact.
• Utilize information gathered from family assessments and from regular contact with families to develop effective goals for the Family Partnership Agreements.
• Ensure families receive referrals to appropriate partner agencies to assist in meeting their goals.
• Ensure the screening and assessment of Ubuntu children for suspected developmental delays/disabilities.
• Coordinate case staffing’s, referrals and the follow-up on Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P.’s) for Ubuntu children.
• Conduct home visits, attend parent committee meetings and plan meaningful programs for parents as needed.
• Coordinate and ensure quality health/dental interventions for families, infants and children, via the development and monitoring of Individual Health Plans (IHP’s).
• Identify issues requiring intervention from mental health consultants and evaluate the services provided by consultants.
• Coordinate all consultant service recommendations with Site Manager, Master Teachers, and Special Needs Coordinator.
• Participate in Family Child Reviews for all families on individual caseload, and if needed for staff’s caseloads.
• Provide short-term crisis intervention and counseling to families on a limited basis.

Additional Responsibilities Include:

• In collaboration with the other Family Support Supervisors, ensure that the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) process for the program is fully implemented according to the Performance Standards.
• Support and Participate in the ongoing evaluation of Ubuntu programs, ensuring that screening and assessment data is reflected in the planning and implementation of intervention with each family.
• Maintain an up-to-date community resource directory for the program.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date program files for each Ubuntu family.
• Monitor accuracy of program data and conduct periodic parent interviews in order to update eligibility records.
• Provide regular, individual, and reflective supervision to the Ubuntu Family Support Specialists, promoting goal-directed interventions with each family.
• Promote the professional development of each staff person, and support the implementation of new skills/knowledge learned in training.
• Participate in agency committees related to the work of Family Support services.
• Assess staff training needs, develop professional goals and communicate the recommendations to the Training Coordinator.
• In collaboration with the Training Coordinator, conduct trainings on required and selected topics throughout the program year.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work - required.
• LCSW Certification.
• Proficiency in Xhosa language – required.
• At least 5 years’ experience working with young parents and children (ages 3-5 years).
• At least 3 years’ experience in supervisory role required.
• Experience working with infant/toddler development and with families affected by poverty, violence and substance abuse preferred.
• Deep understanding of challenges facing families in impoverished, under-resourced settings.

Position: Full-time

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Please forward all applications via email to: admin@trigonsa.co.za or post to: Recruitment, Ubuntu Education Fund, PO Box 14526, Sidwell, 6061.