Social Worker IA&T

Child Protective Services Social Worker

The primary purpose of the Child Protective Services Unit is to identify and provide protection to children who are abused, neglected and/or dependent. Child Protective Services provides protection to children through family assessments, investigation and in-home services. This unit is charged with helping families to achieve safety for children in their homes.

An employee in this position is to provide child protective services to children at risk of abuse, neglect and/or depending. The social worker must consistently assess the immediate safety and risk of harm to children. Services include an assessment or investigation of all screened in reports of abuse, neglect, and/or dependency in a time limited manner. Social Worker is also responsible for providing in-home services to families found to be in need of protective services as the result of an investigation or assessment. In-home services include a family centered plan with identified goals and services to protect children from further harm while remedying the factors which contributed to the maltreatment.

Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their applications to complex casework, treatment, and investigation of abuse or neglect of children; thorough knowledge of policies and procedures as evidenced by the ability to cite the authority of federal and state law; thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, family dynamics, and medical, behavioral and/or psychosocial problems and their treatment theory. Considerable knowledge of governmental and private organizations and resources in the community. Ability to interact and motivate a resistant involuntary client population and the public who may not agree with the laws, rules or policies of the process or the programs; ability to prepare documentation such as written investigative reports for the court, case records and treatment plans; ability to testify as an expert witness; ability to employ advanced case management interview techniques to establish a supportive relationship and involve families in the initial assessment for the need of services; ability to quickly assess the risks and safety of the client environment during daylight hours, after dark and in high crime areas; ability to employ expert negotiation skills in the most complex cases; ability to analyze and assess child development safety issues in relation to risk factors; ability to analyze tense family situations and make decisions about removing children when the decision has to be made with limited direct information and limited access to consultation; ability to communicate effectively and establish supportive client relationships.

Master's degree from an accredited school of social work and one year of social work experience; or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of social work and two years of social work or counseling experience; or 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 experience in the techniques of casework, group work or community organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. One year of work experience can be credited for completion of the social work collaborative.