Foster Care Assistant Social Worker at Tushinde Children's Trust

Overview

• Tushinde’s Foster Care Assistant Social Worker will work alongside the Social Work Manager, Lead Foster Care Social Worker and Programme Officer in the delivery of Tushinde’s Family Support programme and associated programmes.

Key Skills include:

• Community mobilisation skills: must be willing to participate in the activities, events and circles for the acquisition of cultural diversity.
• Ability to interpret, apply and blend a wide range of Social Work practices and child protection principles and Tushinde’s methods to help children/youth/families achieve a healthier lifestyle.
• Proven knowledge of Case Management Standards, the Children Act 2022 and other relevant international and national care reform legislation.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret and apply a wide range of social work practices, child protection principles and alternative family-based care methods in respect to protection and placements of children at risk and understanding the principles and goals of families in crisis.
• Proven knowledge of theories of human behaviours and family systems and proven ability to apply social work theories in assessments, planning, action, measure and monitor to ensure competence and excellence of services provided.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Kiswahili
• Understanding of child protection systems and urban poverty issues
• Good understanding of G-Suite

Key responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support so that foster care projects are completed on time and on budget
• Assist in conducting assessment of foster children, foster families and biological families.
• Delivering the Tushinde’s foster care program and ensuring adherence to the agency’s policies and procedures.
• To work with foster families to ensure safety and well being of the foster children.
• Maintain detailed and confidential records of all interactions with foster children and families.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on the status and progress of foster care cases.
• Assist and liaise with schools, healthcare providers, and other community resources to ensure comprehensive support for foster children.
• Support the foster care social worker and counsellor in the development and implementation of individualised care plans for foster children.
• Assist in family tracing efforts to locate and reunite children with their biological families where appropriate and in the best interest of the child.
• Work with community leaders and other stakeholders to gather information and facilitate family reunification processes.
• Apply and ensure the consistent adherence to Tushinde’s case management approach for the placement of children in foster care families.
• Assist in conducting monthly follow-ups and monitoring visits as per the Foster Care Operating Procedures
• Assist in the collection and analysis of data to evaluate the effectiveness of the foster care program.
• Participate in job performance in accordance with the Tushinde’s policies and procedures.
• comply with Tushinde Children's Trust financial procedure and maintain high standards of accountability in the expense of funds (due- time return of receipts etc.)
• perform any other duties requested by the Foster Care Social Worker, Programmes Officer, Social Work Manager and the Country Director that are in the best interests of the sponsored child.

The Emergency Foster Care Social Work assistant’s role requires a dedicated caseworker who is ready to work 24 hours to efficiently respond to the emergency cases. In addition to the above roles, the caseworker will also:

• Maintain liaison with Tushinde staff, DCS at the Sub-county offices, relevant personnel of community resources such as chief and police, foster care key partners, Child Protection Volunteers and all others concerned with the provision of the Foster Care Program.

Qualifications

• Preferred education is a Bachelor of Social Work degree or related field.
• Minimum is a Social Sciences Diploma or related field with at least three (3) years direct experience in child Protection and Case Management Process.
• Management, coordination and capacity building experience preferred.
• Experience working with a CCI, DCS and other key government agencies is an added advantage.
• Good communication, presentation, training and report writing skills.
• A passion for ensuring that every child can enjoy their basic rights.
• An ability to be flexible and adaptable in a young and growing organisation.
• The foster care social work assistant must possess the following skills: patience, compassion and active listening skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, and ability to prioritise. Must be a self-starter and driven.
• Must be able to work in a challenging environment, i.e. informal settlements.
• Must have a valid certificate of good conduct.