Case Management Officer

The Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is a specialized agency with the responsibility for the care and protection of children, especially those who are at risk or have been victims of abuse or neglect.

The Children's Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is seeking to recruit for a Case Management Officer, on contract.

The Case Management Officer (CMO) will be a part of the Authority’s core departments; Child Welfare Services, Child & Family Reintegration Services and the Tobago Operations.  He/ she will work closely with various other key positions as it relates to the management of cases of vulnerable children coming under the purview of the Authority. 

The incumbent will be assigned on a rotational basis, to various units within the core such as the Contact Centre, Regional Case Management, Child Justice Support, Assessment, Reception Centre, Foster Care, or Adoption, and will administer and execute child welfare and protection activities and initiatives.  This will be inclusive of providing social services support to improve the social and psychological well-being of children who are at risk and in need of care and protection.

The role of the CM Officer involves undertaking comprehensive assessments and interventions involving children, parents, and families, to determine their needs and develop plans to address those needs ensuring the safety, rehabilitation and wellbeing of the child.  All these services will be delivered in keeping with best practice, while respecting and promoting the rights of the child.

Principal Accountabilities/ Key Functions:

• Evaluate cases (new, existing or prospective) based on their needs, limitations, and conditions to determine applicable case management approach to be utilized as outlined in the Authority’s policies and procedures.
• Review and attend appointments with assigned child/children.  Document critical information and submit report on appointments for review by the assigned Team Lead.
• Monitor and evaluate client’s progress, maintaining accurate records and reports on activities to determine their needs so that decisions can be taken in the best interest of the child and prepare individual plans formulated with short and long-term goals for addressing those needs.
• The core of the CMO’s role is to implement frameworks, structures, systems, policies, programmes and protocols of the Child Welfare and Child & Family Reintegration Services frameworks within the Authority.
• Counsel children and families on a wide range of social issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, childcare, medical care and assists them in determining strategies and actions to resolve and improve their situation.
• Conducts investigative interviews with victims, reporters and other stakeholders in all cases assigned by the Team Lead(s), primarily to address the needs of the children concerned. The best interest of the child shall be priority when making decisions.
• Participates in the recruitment and approval of foster care providers by conducting home assessments, in-depth interviews, reference checks, facilitating sensitization and training sessions, as well as any other duties required in the recruitment process.
• Determines the safety of children who are subjects of reports of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment and decide on initial responses or courses of action in line with the investigation protocol.
• Works with the CM Assistant to prepares court reports and court updates to the Legal Team and/or attends court as part of a team that makes a petition to the court or provides testimony on behalf of a child.
• Coordinates services for clients with multi-disciplinary professionals in order for a comprehensive investigation to be completed with as little trauma to the child as possible.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with community residences and agencies which provide support services to children and families so that appropriate referrals can be made, or support services accessed.
• Serves as advocates/liaisons between children, and service providers such as homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help them integrate and maximize the benefits received.
• Works collaboratively with ad hoc and specialized teams established to address issues related to Assessment; Foster Care; Residential Placement, Foster Care, Adoption, and Family Reintegration for children.
• Conducts regular monitoring visits, at school and at home, as part of the intervention plan with children and families and or providers within the foster care system.
• Maintains records in the Investigation Module of the Child Protection Information Management System to include the personal history, interventions and action plans related to each child.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling or related field
• Training in CPR and First Aid.
• Three (3) years’ experience in a Social Services field.

The Authority would like to thank all applicants for their interests, however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: October 30, 2023