Child Welfare Placement Worker

General Description

Child Welfare Placement Worker

These positions perform Home Finding services in the area of child welfare services. These positions recruit, locate, and evaluate prospective kinship and resource care homes; train new and active home providers; conduct periodic reviews of providers and initiate corrective action plans when needed. They interact with various professional practitioners in the fields of social work, mental health, court, and the legal system. These positions are responsible for written documentation of casework and related activities. Work involves frequent travel using a personal vehicle and may require after hours and weekend emergencies. Perform related work as required.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Attending, ongoing training to develop comprehensive knowledge of State and Federal social welfare laws, rules, regulations, and evolving protocols regarding child abuse and neglect.
• Conducting interviews to identify safe placement options for victims of abuse or neglect by talking with and visually observing prospective providers, their homes, or facilities.
• Assessing prospective placement candidates using established guidelines to determine if the needs of the children can be met under the current requirements.
• Completing reviews of care providers to determine dynamics and problems that may have arisen since placement.
• Developing effective communication with new home providers that address safety, well-being, and permanency of children.
• Attend court hearings, testifying before the court, and making appropriate placements of children, including but not limited to staying with relatives, in foster homes, residential treatment facilities.
• Evaluating the progress of families or living environments towards meeting objectives of safety/service/treatment plans, the need to modify plans, and the eventual disposition of cases.

Applicants must possess a valid WV driver’s license, and reliable transportation. Applicants also must have strong communication skills, both oral and written, and maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation. Overtime hours and frequent travel may be required. Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.

Example of Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Attending, ongoing training to develop comprehensive knowledge of State and Federal social welfare laws, rules, regulations, and evolving protocols regarding child abuse and neglect.
• Conducting interviews to identify safe placement options for victims of abuse or neglect by talking with and visually observing prospective providers, their homes, or facilities.
• Assessing prospective placement candidates using established guidelines to determine if the needs of the children can be met under the current requirements.
• Completing reviews of care providers to determine dynamics and problems that may have arisen since placement.
• Developing effective communication with new home providers that address safety, well-being, and permanency of children.
• Attend court hearings, testifying before the court, and making appropriate placements of children, including but not limited to staying with relatives, in foster homes, residential treatment facilities.
• Evaluating the progress of families or living environments towards meeting objectives of safety/service/treatment plans, the need to modify plans, and the eventual disposition of cases.

Minimum Qualifications

About the Organization

The Bureau for Social Services champions the security, permanence, and welfare of children and vulnerable adults, empowering individuals and strengthening families. Formerly the Bureau for Children and Families, the Bureau for Social Services operates under the West Virginia Department of Human Services, serving children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults facing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Equipped with extensive training to handle delicate situations with compassion and dignity, these workers contribute to the advancement of a vibrant and healthy West Virginia by facilitating access to crucial healthcare, essential social services and benefits, and fostering safe, supportive, and healthy environments. Through this hard work, at risk populations can begin to thrive within the community.