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100% Permanent – Indigenous Social Worker Full Time NEW
Wellington Catholic District School Board is committed to equity in employment. We are committed to fair and equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve, who will foster the success and wellbeing of our students and who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion in the classroom.
Wellington Catholic District School Board invites qualified applicants for this permanent Indigenous Social Worker position with a focus on First Nations, Inuit and Métis Youth Engagement and Positive Support.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
The Indigenous Social Worker will support Indigenous students by acting as a mentor, advisor and clinician, collaborating with school based and board staff and the broader community in responding to individual and systemic barriers (e.g., academic, mental health, justice); identifying and addressing individual barriers to engagement, learning and well-being; and facilitating access and referrals to academic supports and community resources to provide an integrated support system that provides opportunities for students to thrive by affirming their identities and cultures through culturally responsive and relevant practices.
The Indigenous Social Worker will report directly to the Superintendent of Student Achievement and maintain a functional relationship with the Senior Manager of Student Mental Health Services and will be part of a collaborative team for any Ministry reporting and accountability. The assignment is itinerant, seeing students from any school within the Board’s district.
Indigenous Student Mental Health Focus:
• Build positive, trusting, and strength-based relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students and their families to address barriers to engagement and learning.
• Provide individual and group interventions to students in elementary and secondary who are struggling with significant social, emotional, or mental health challenges that are impacting their ability to function in school.
• Provide evidence-informed mental health treatment (including CBT, DBT strategies, and Motivational Interviewing) tailored to children and youth.
• Assess complex social, emotional, and behavioural challenges through an Indigenous lens, considering identity, self-determination, and cultural preservation.
• Act as an advisor to students, serving as a primary advocate for youth engagement and positive support with teachers, school staff, parents/guardians, and community members.
• Lead in-service training or presentations for Board staff to increase understanding of Indigenous perspectives, child development, and provide professional development for staff capacity building.
• Collaborate with school administrators, teachers, school and system support staff, and the Indigenous Program Coordinator to identify promising practices and develop meaningful solutions to systemic barriers.
• Establish and maintain relationships with various service agencies and treaty partners serving the Indigenous community.
• Facilitate access and referral to academic supports and community resources to provide integrated support systems for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.
• Engage with schools to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all Indigenous students and families.
• Prepare reports and monitor program progression and outcomes in collaboration with the Indigenous Education Team and Council.
• Interpret and work within board and governing policies, ensuring clinical practices align with both professional and cultural protocols.
• Other duties as assigned by Superintendent of Student Achievement and Senior Manager of Student Mental Health Services.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Identify as a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis person.
• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree (or working toward completion) with registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is required.
• Graduate training in clinical interviewing and experience providing various mental health treatment modalities (CBT, DBT, etc.) to children and youth is an asset.
• Experience working with children and youth with social, emotional, and mental health challenges is required.
• Knowledge of Indigenous worldviews, values and cultural protocols and comfort engaging with diverse groups of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples including treaty partners and urban Indigenous communities.
• Deep understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis perspectives, including knowledge of child and adolescent development from an Indigenous worldview and the historical realities that impact Indigenous mental health.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.
• A valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle are required for travel within the school district.