Bayfield Treatment Centres a treatment facility for male and female youth, is seeking applications for Foster Parents. This position involves maintaining a therapeutic living environment and programming for the youth; providing direct supervision, mentoring; and setting and maintaining a tone of enthusiasm, optimism, cooperation, and collaboration. This position is in search for a dedicated couple who are willing to relocate to an existing home in Oshawa. We are looking for someone to be a full-time foster parent to the youth and would be available to move into the home by October 31st.
This is the perfect opportunity for someone who has a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and youth by providing parental supervision and offering them the support and opportunities that they need!
Responsibilities
- Provide a therapeutic living environment for the youth and ensure the development, implementation, monitoring and regular review of day-to-day routines and activities according to the youth’s needs and interests.
- Work with the Family Based Care Program Supervisor to ensure MCCSS licensing standards and Child Protection Standards are adhered to.
- Ensure that the youth (and their parents as applicable) are adequately oriented to their rights and responsibilities, as well as the home’s rules, routines and emergency procedures.
- Provide programming and activities to teach and practice life skills, to prepare the youth for independence.
- Consult and work with the youths’ schools regarding enrolment, improving student attendance, alternative programming and homework completion.
- Collaborate with the Family Based Care Program Supervisor, placing agency representatives, guardian, clinician and school to develop, implement and monitor the youths’ Plans of Care, Individual Safety Plans, visitation schedules, etc.
- Ensure that meals are healthy and prepared with care, that the meal preferences of the youth are incorporated into meal planning and provide a family-like atmosphere at mealtimes, involving the youth in food preparation and meal clean-up.
- Provide a home environment that is inviting, clean and well maintained, fostering a sense of pride and ownership for the presentation of the home with the youth placed there.
- Ensure that the medical needs of the youth (physical, dental, psychiatric, psychological, vision and auditory) are met, transporting the youth to and attending appointments with the youth, according to the timelines and processes specified by Bayfield policies and procedures and relevant legislation.
- Ensure that the legal needs (family and criminal) of the youth are met, coordinating legal representation for the youth as required, transporting the youth to legal appointments, and attending Court with the youth, according to the timelines and processes specified by the Courts and relevant legislation.
- Ensure that any consequences are natural and logical in nature, applied in a fair and consistent manner, and are consistent with Bayfield policies and procedures and all relevant legislation.
- Attend all required medication administration training, maintain training certification requirements, following the direction of the Medical Coordinator and Bayfield policies and procedures regarding the safe storage, administration, transportation and disposal of prescribed medication.
- Work with the Family Based Care Program Supervisor in the development of a Training Plan based on the specific needs of the youth placed in the home, attending all required training, and maintaining all required training certifications.
- Ensure that the youth are adequately clothed for the season and that all admission and discharge clothing needs are met, while maintaining clothing inventories throughout the year.
- Complete all required documentation according to Bayfield policies and procedures, as well as MCCSS serious occurrence reporting requirements and licensing standards.
- Participate in the monthly and annual inspection and/or evaluation of the home and its occupants with the Family Based Care Program Supervisor, as required by the criteria, methods and format of the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study Practitioner program.
Skills & Abilities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to demonstrate a level of patience and understanding for children and youth with mental health and behavioural challenges
- Teamwork and ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team
- Capacity to research and explore community resources
- Adaptable to ever changing needs of children and youth
- Flexible schedule and ability to be available for children and youth when required
Qualifications
- A College diploma in the Social Service Worker, Developmental Service Worker or Child and Youth Worker, or other related field of study is considered an asset
- Relevant life experience in caring for children and youth is required
- A valid Criminal Record Check with BROAD Sector Screening
- A clear Children’s Aid Record Check
- Current Immunization Record
- Insurable driving record with a minimum "G"Class Driver's License and have a reliable vehicle
- First Aid and CPR certification
Remuneration
- Remuneration is dependent on experience and number of youth in the home (maximum of 4 youth/home)
- Pay is based on the number of youth placed in the home, tax free income without payroll deductions that is not required to be claimed through taxes. Expenses for the home is covered by Bayfield.