Chief Social Worker

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is a dynamic board committed to the delivery of quality educational programs and services. The Board is comprised of over 81,000 students enrolled in 151 facilities (125 elementary and 26 secondary schools) throughout the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville.  In addition, over 40,000 students enroll in the Board’s Adult and Continuing Education Programs each year.  We have approximately 11,000 employees in an increasingly diverse community.  We strive to ensure that each school and board facility is a safe, caring, healthy and inclusive place, where each student has every opportunity to succeed. Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of Ontario’s largest school boards, encompassing both urban and rural areas.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board mission is disciples of Christ nurturing mind, body, and soul to the fullness of Life.  Our vision is changing the world through Catholic Education.

We are currently accepting applications for the position of:

POSITION

Chief Social Worker – 1.0 FTE

(1 Permanent Position)

SALARY

($130,416)

 

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the General Manager Clinical Services & Special Education, the Chief Social Worker assists in the realization of the vision of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board reflected in board plans and the board’s mission and vision statement. The Chief Social Worker provides leadership and direction in major areas of legal, professional and clinical social work practice (e.g. – Mental Health & Well-Being, Mental Child in Need of Protection/Duty to Report, Attendance and Mental Health and Well-Being) and support to all areas of board and department plans as appropriate.

Major Functions and Responsibilities:

  • Collaborates with senior administration and department staff in supporting Ministry of Education and aligned Ministry directives, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District Strategic System Plan and/or other board plans in all areas including fostering parish, home, school relationships;
  • Collaborates with administration and/or department staff in the Program/Special Education and Support Services Departments in advancing all board improvement plans (e.g. Catholic Board Learning Plan) in a shared Catholic context;
  • Collaborates with administration and/or department staff in the Program/ Special Education and Support Services Departments in advancing pro-active and responsive supports for student mental health and well-being and achievement through varied faith-based, proactive strategies and aligned supports, including technology supports and expected practices, as appropriate;
  • Ensures compliance as aligned to all board, Ministry of Education and inter-Ministerial directions. In supporting student mental health and well-being and achievement, board planning and direction include Dufferin-Peel’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy, Safe, Caring, Inclusive and Healthy School Communities including mental well-being and mental health and/or other directives as appropriate;
  • Recommends and supports revisions to policy, procedure, and/or practice regarding issues of social work services including but not limited to mental health and child abuse, duty to report/child in need of protection, prolonged absence and/or other attendance, counselling issues, and related matters;
  • Liaises with the Peel Children’s Aid Society and Dufferin Child and Family Services including active engagement in a wide variety of teams/committees/task force/discussion tables etc., and as required;
  • Advises the General Manager Clinical Services & Special Education, regarding procedures for staff education, mental health and well-being, child abuse reporting procedures and the need for child abuse prevention programs.
  • Consults with Superintendents, Principals, Coordinators, Family of Schools Consultants and/or other staff as appropriate in areas of social work services including mental health and well-being, child abuse/child in need of protection, attendance, counselling and/or other related matters;
  • Advises, researches, co-creates, and/or supports the model of social work practice in Dufferin-Peel;
  • Chairs and/or serves on board and/or community agencies as assigned by the General Manager Clinical Services & Special Education.
  • Liaises with community agencies and supports and regularly reviews relevant collaborative and other relationships and aligned processes, as appropriate;
  • Supports data/information sharing aligned to the requirements of the MFIPPA (Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act) and PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act);
  • Gathers relevant statistics and generates reports related to Social Work for senior staff, and the broader Dufferin-Peel community and the Ministry of Education aligned to board plans and goals;
  • Provides the professional and clinical supervision of all Social Work staff by monitoring staff decisions and recommendations to ensure conformity to legal and professional standards;
  • Advocates on behalf of students with social/emotional/behavioural needs and/or families in consideration of mitigating and other factors;
  • Reviews and/or makes recommendations related to program and service practice impacting social work practice as directed by senior administration and/or designates;
  • Participates in the cycle of policy, procedure and/or practice review, development, and implementation and/or project planning and implementation as appropriate;
  • Supports system crisis intervention and prevention programs and services including Tragic Events Response Team (TERT) and consult on other crisis intervention needs, as appropriate;
  • Reviews, navigates and supports issues which may arise from time to time between the school system, community mental health agencies, the child welfare systems or other community agencies to students/families in Dufferin-Peel.
  • Acts as a contact person for other school boards, agencies, individuals and/or groups requesting information regarding aspects of social work practice;
  • Exercises all the powers and duties and fulfills all of the obligations designated to an attendance counsellor outlined in the Education Act;
  • Supports and monitors the delegation of each social worker in their role as school attendance counsellor and ensures appropriate procedures, and practice direction and information to support such delegation;
  • Acts as a Secretary to the Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Program in meeting appropriate compliance requirements through SAL programs directly and/or through designate;
  • Liaises with Region of Peel Police, Ontario Provincial Police and related Youth Justice Community organizations and agencies to foster improved school attendance, probation alignments, and the coordination of service to families in support of student well-being and achievement;
  • Supports the implementation of the board and/or school’s attendance policies, procedure and practices for attendance, pupils in shelters and/or all other issues related to student  well-being and achievement supported through social work practice;
  • Oversees the Attendance Conference and attendance processes through the Sr. Social Worker;
  • Represents Dufferin-Peel in collaborative attendance-related projects with other school boards and community organizations and agencies;
  • Liaises with the Provincial Attendance Counselor, as appropriate;
  • Oversees and manages the Social Work budget and directs staff in fiscally prudent and transparent financial stewardship;
  • Supports the provision of safe, confidential storage of electronic and other social work data and reports;
  • Provides orientation, supervision, mentorship and/or other professional needs, for the Sr. Social Worker and all new Social Workers as appropriate;
  • Participates in the hiring of social work staff and/or provides supervision to all newly hired professional staff in collaboration with the Sr. Social Worker;
  • Collaboratively plans and delivers Board-wide staff development and training;
  • Participates as a staff representative on the Special Education Advisory Committee;
  • Works collaboratively with the Program and Special Education and Support Services leadership team;
  • Provides supervision and appraisal for secretarial/clerical staff as appropriate; and,

Education, Experience and Qualifications:  

  • Certification with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
  • Member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers
  • Master’s Degree in Social Work
  • Minimum of five (5) years social work and mental health professional related experience, including advance mental health training and expertise
  • School board experience preferred
  • Managerial/Supervisory/Administrative experience an asset.
  • A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

To be considered for this position, please forward your resume and a covering letter by January 15, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. quoting File: Chief Social Worker fully detailing your experience and qualifications, by e-mail, to: pdcareers@dpcdsb.org (Word format). For more details regarding the job description please contact us at (905) 890-0708 extension 24436.

ALL new employees will be required to submit a current original criminal background check (CBC) including a "Vulnerable Sector Screening" (VSS) issued within 6 months prior to commencing employment with the Board.

We thank all applicants, but advise that only those under consideration will be contacted.

If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at

(905) 890-0708, extension 24436 to provide your contact information.  Support Services staff will contact you within 2 business days.  The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is an equal opportunity employer.  We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.