We’re hiring a Foster Parent Support Manager

Foster Parent Support Manager (Solutions Program Manager)
Full Time or Part Time/Remote or Lower Mainland

The Organization

BC Foster Parents Association (BCFPA) is a non-profit charity working with and on behalf of foster
parents to ensure the highest standard of care for children in the foster system. We provide
information, support and assistance to the foster parents of BC as well as consultation about policy,
practice, and foster parent recruitment services to the Ministry of Children and Family Development
(MCFD).

Position Focus

Managing BCFPA’s Solutions Program, our manager is actively involved with our participants using a
solutions-based approach guided by child welfare policy and practice guidelines. The Solutions Manager
provides direct advocacy and support to foster parents and leadership to our program team including
staff and volunteers. The manager is responsible for all aspects of the program and is accountable to
BCFPA’s Executive Director. Main goal of the Solutions Manager is to assist foster parents in solving their
challenging issues by working in partnership with stakeholder agencies and MCFD staff members,
ultimately creating healthy community partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Solutions Manager will:

• Provide direct support and advocacy to foster parents
• Recruit, train, support and supervise staff and peer support volunteers throughout the province.
• Set up regular communication with peer support workers to establish healthy team dynamic and to ensure consistent messaging of policy and best practice
• Establish and maintain effective working partnerships with regional support agencies
• Maintain professional partnerships with MCFD leadership and community office teams
• Communicate with the BCFPA Executive Director and Board of Directors as necessary about impact of policy and practice on foster parents in BC and support trends across the province
• Provide members of the fostering community with clarification about fostering policies, standards and best practices
• Consult with MCFD regarding fostering policy and practice
• Represent BCFPA as a committee member on regional or provincial committees
• Expanding the reach and services of BCFPA’s Solutions Program
• Oversee database documentation and ensure statistics for quarterly and annual reporting are collected and reported to Executive Director following each quarter
• Uphold the highest level of professionalism and adherence to BC’s privacy legislation

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

Degree in social work, psychology or related field

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with MCFD in the fostering field
• Successful candidate will need an extensive knowledge of the legislation, policy, standards and practices that pertain to fostering as well as have an understanding of MCFD’s delegation matrix, reporting structure, and the responsibilities associated with MCFD roles (would suit a retiree from social service field)
• Knowledge of and experience using conflict resolution strategies with participants
• Experience teaching and mentoring on topics including self advocacy, diplomacy and respectful communication
• Prior knowledge of the demands of fostering including an understanding of working with children who have experienced trauma, grief and loss, delayed development, and who have other support needs would be beneficial
• Experience teaching or facilitating training
• Experience of effectively leading a team or a group of people and being able to give and receive constructive feedback about the work and shared goals
• Extensive community contact will be required

Skills

• Fluency in English verbal and written skills
• Ability to work independently and under pressure
• Experience with business writing is very important including letters, reports and summaries
• The ability to meet deadlines and to work as part of a team are critical
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Knowledge about e-communication methods (Zoom, Teams, email, conference calling) to connect with people around the province
• Professional telephone manner
• Ability to manage and maintain confidential information and records
• Ability to maintain a nonjudgmental/objective attitude
• Strong self-care routine
• Ability to effectively guide, supervise and mentor others
• Debriefing with staff and volunteer team members who are involved in stressful support cases and ensuring work-life balance is achievable
• Ability to prioritize and complete tasks on time with a minimum of supervision
• Ability to maintain flexibility and adapt to new procedures and changing circumstances
• Availability to travel within the province and occasionally elsewhere as necessary

Working With BCFPA

Preference may be given to candidates that have previous experience working with foster parents. The
Solutions Manager role is a full or part time permanent position offering a competitive wage and
generous extended health benefits package. This position is suitable for remote work if necessary.

Please respond with cover letter and resume demonstrating past relevant experience. If you are
selected to be interviewed, 3 current references must be provided prior to the interview.

Please sent your application via email to jayne@bcfosterparents.ca. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.