Foster Care Backup Parent

Foster Care Back-Up Sitters assist the foster parent and fills in when needed. Must have attained the emotional maturity necessary to appropriately supervise children/youth whose behavior often deviates from what may be generally considered normal. Foster Care Back-Up Babysitters must utilize communication skills, patience, understanding, firmness, good relationship-building, positive role model qualities, an exhibition of positive parental skills, and a high tolerance for frustration. Must maintain a healthy value system, including moral and ethical behavior consistent with those of the organization.

The following functions have been determined by the organization to be essential to the successful performance of this position:

Supervision: Responsible for assisting with daily supervision of children/youth in the group home. Should always know the whereabouts of each child and what activity he/she is engaged in. May be assigned responsibility for supervision of activities outside the home unit. Will be actively involved in all facets of the children's daily routine as necessary. Must be courageous enough to intervene in situations where the child's best interest is at risk and take appropriate steps to insure order, safety and control when necessary. Participatory childcare is expected.

Problem Management: Identifies potential crisis/problem situations and makes plans to resolve them or seek advice or support from team. Able to respond to verbal abuse or anger in a calm, deliberate manner. Responds to physical aggression or destructive behavior with minimum necessary restraint and avoids needless arguments through stated alternatives or natural consequences. Uses behavioral management techniques.

Unit Management: Responsible for assisting with the overall appearance and management of the group home. Works cooperatively with administration and other staff to order food, clothing requisition and inventory, linen inventory and replacement, laundry arrangement and other such items. Record significant events in the daily logbook. Issues and documents medication, as necessary. Regularly prepares breakfast, weekend meals and evening snacks as applicable to shift. May be called upon for food preparation as needed.

Other: Will assume other responsibilities as designated by the CEO or Program Administrator.

Foster Care Back-Up Babysitters must be able to participate in routine household cleaning and management. Should be able to participate in physical activities with children if needed. Must be in good physical health. Will also need to be able to handle driving a 6-passenger van occasionally and for emergencies.

Working Conditions: Most duties are performed in the home unit; however, contacts with the community and out-of-town trips, sometimes overnight, are required. The Foster Care Back-Up Babysitter's work schedule will be determined by the employing supervisor. Foster Care Back-Up Babysitters are responsible for the supervision of any child that is in the unit at any time. Some free time may be available daily while the children are at school or doing other activities. It shall be noted that staff meetings may also be scheduled during this time and other home unit management responsibilities will be expected to be accomplished. Foster Care Back-Up Babysitters will be responsible for securing their own housing off-site during scheduled time off.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field and 3 years of child welfare residential experience (preferred)

or

H.S. Diploma/GED and 5+ years of child welfare residential experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must be able to assemble and organize complex data and prepare professional quality reports from such data in many varied formats, using computer software, including Microsoft Office. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Pre-Service training must be completed. Must pass all background checks. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and have the ability to drive.

Annual Training: Child Placing Agency will provide orientation for the position to reinforce the Foster Care Back-Up Babysitter's knowledge of the job demands. The agency will provide in-service training on an annual basis to help develop skills, responsibilities and emotional capabilities to meet these obligations. However, Foster Care Back-Up Babysitters may be required to seek training in a collaborative effort to fulfill annual training hours.

Expected Abilities:

Ability to assist residents in a crisis

Ability to problem solve, multi-task, plan, manage time and/or schedules, and be flexible

Ability to cook balanced meals and transport children.

Ability to maintain clean, healthy living environment

Ability to utilize good communication skills, especially active listening; complete and write clear, concise documentation

Ability to work as part of a team; accept and give constructive feedback

Ability to develop and maintain professional work boundaries with residents and co-workers

Ability to understand risk and safety management

Must possess the following character traits:

Independence: you must be self-sufficient and resourceful enough to carry out the functions of the position. The position requires you to be adept at decision-making, problem solving and taking initiative with minimal direction from supervisor. You must be able to recognize what needs to be done and to prioritize work with minimal direction from supervisor.

Positive Tone and Morale: You must be able to contribute a positive tone and morale to the workplace in order to perform the functions of the position. You must have a positive and professional attitude toward the residents, toward your coworkers, toward your work and toward the Organization. You must be able work with coworkers as a team player, and you must be willing to help when problems and emergencies arise.

Empathy: you must be comfortable with yourself and be well-accepted by others and must understand the feelings of others. This character trait is critical in working effectively with our population.