Under the direction of the Director of Adoptions & Permanency, the Adoptions & Permanency Supervisor is responsible for assisting the Director of Adoptions & Permanency with the smooth operation of the Adoption/Permanency Department. The Adoptions & Permanency Supervisor supervises assigned Adoptions/Permanency Consultants, monitors effectiveness and efficiency of the program overall, and communicates program status on an ongoing basis to his/her supervisor.
The Adoptions & Permanency Supervisor will share responsibility for Northerns’ provision of effective, high-quality direct services through the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) units of service. This includes the fulfillment of all services eligible for completion, as determined based on the following criteria: the qualifications and competencies of the worker; the complexity and status of the case; services provided by other professionals and/or co-workers; other organizational responsibilities; and client needs. The Adoptions & Permanency Supervisor ensures that program services are delivered according to regulatory and funding source guidelines and that the program meets high standards of operational and clinical excellence.
The Adoptions & Permanency Supervisor also provides inclusive clinical case management supervision and leadership to assigned Adoptions/Permanency Consultants. In this supervision, the Adoptions & Permanency Worker/Supervisor oversees the completion of the various SWAN units of service (listed above).
CORE COMPETENCIES:
- A desire to supervise and monitor the program to the highest possible quality.
- Background in providing strengths-based and client-centered services.
- Ability to manage others by giving clear and concise feedback.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- A passion for consumers/clients with an understanding of their voices being reflected in all aspects of programming.
- Detail-oriented and organized, and also the ability to see the larger picture.
- A willingness to make difficult decisions when necessary.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
- Excellent working knowledge of the child welfare system and Adoptions/Permanency Systems within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Ability to develop strong partnerships with various stakeholders.
- Strong ability to deliver quality professional development for staff and other stakeholders.
- Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office programs.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Leadership
- Responsible for supporting departmental and program goals and objectives.
- Provides administrative and clinical leadership, supervision, and support to assigned staff in the program.
- Provides daily/weekly oversight of assigned staff within the program.
- Ensure problems are identified and resolved quickly.
- When appropriate, completes research on evidence-based models of service delivery and trains staff in the use of appropriate methods of service delivery.
Planning
- Attends all required training and pursues other training for professional growth.
- Schedules file reviews and visits at times convenient for all involved parties.
- Manages time in order to complete both direct service requirements, paperwork, and supervision and support of assigned staff.
- Organizes and prepares for all staff meetings and other NCS-wide or Department-wide meetings.
- Works jointly with other agency staff in administrative meetings in the development and review of agency policy and planning.
- Takes ownership of performance improvement activities affecting his/her program.
- Works jointly with other agencies (e.g., CUAs; county children and youth agencies) in order to ensure continuity of care on behalf of the consumers and natural family.
- Prepares adequately for weekly supervision with his/her supervisor as well as for his/her consultants to ensure case reviews occur on a consistent basis.
Monitoring
- Monitors city, state, and federal regulatory standards to ensure that program is in compliance.
- Monitors and tracks submission of electronic data and paperwork to ensure documentation is completed in a timely fashion.
Maintains the appropriate number of training hours as required by local, state and federal regulations. Makes sure assigned staff in his/her program do the same.
Assures record keeping is adequate and in conformity with all regulatory funding sources requirements.
Works with and supports Director of Adoptions/Permanency as well as NCS Compliance Performance Improvement (CPI) Department to prepare for audits and to respond to audit findings as needed.
Communication
- Maintains appropriate contact with consumers, natural families, foster parents, and other treatment team members as required by state and local regulations and agency standards.
- Notifies all participants of consumer meetings, appointments and scheduled visits.
- Advocates for the needs of the consumer and natural family to obtain needed resources.
- Clearly and effectively communicates all pertinent information to all involved parties as required by state and local regulations and agency standards.
- Participates in weekly supervision with Director of Adoptions/Permanency.
- Monitors the weekly supervision of assigned Adoptions/Permanency staff and meets regularly with these staff to communicate and/or resolve performance issues.
Direct Service
- Develops and implements Child Preparation Plans or Individual Permanency Service Plans, etc., for example, with input from the consumer, natural family, foster parents, and other relevant parties. When assigned.
- Attends all pertinent meetings, appointments, and hearings on behalf of the consumer and natural family.
- Completes permanency service delivery requirements as per local, state and federal regulations.
- Assures that consumer’s basic needs are met i.e. social, emotional, educational, physical and safety needs.
Supervision
- Sets the bar high for expectations for professionalism for assigned consultants.
- Provides supervision, support, and coaching to assigned consultants.
- Ensures that assigned consultant members receive training necessary to accomplish departmental tasks and objectives.
- Identifies gaps in programming and works with staff to bridge gaps as identified.
- Assists with interviewing, hiring, and training consultants within the program as needed.
- Ensures his/her consultants do the following (and when consultants require extra support, takes on tasks to be more effective, including but not limited to):
Attend meetings, appointments, and hearings on behalf of the consumer and natural family.
Complete permanency service delivery requirements as per local, state and federal regulations.
Assure that consumers’ basic needs are met (e.g., that social, emotional, educational, physical and safety needs are met).
Networking
- Provides linkages with appropriate community resources by maintaining knowledge of other providers and systems.
- Represents the agency at conferences, trainings and meetings.
- Collaborates with agency personnel and other external organizations.
Documentation
- Completes all required documentation in a timely manner.
- Reviews all required documentation completed by assigned consultants in a timely manner.
- Documents using agency guidelines and format all contact in chronological order, with consumer, natural family, foster parents and other relevant parties on an ongoing basis, that are submitted via benchmarks on a monthly basis for review and processing.
- Ensures that assigned consultants documents all contacts with consumers, natural family, foster/adoptive parents, and other relevant parties on an ongoing basis. Ensures this information is submitted via benchmarks on a monthly basis for review and processing.
PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
THIS POSITION HAS THE ABILITY TO PROMOTE INTO A FULL-TIME SUPERVISORY POSITION BASED ON NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT
IV: QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: Minimum Requirement is Master’s Degree in Social Work or a human services related field of study; Licensure is preferred.
- Experience: (Preferred) Two years of experience in child welfare or social service organizations. At least two years of supervisory experience. Excellent working knowledge of administrative and clinical issues relating to children, adolescents and families.
V: PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to walk up and down steps.
- Ability to lift 20 pounds.
- Ability to operate a computer, printer and calculator.
This position requires travel throughout the City of Philadelphia and surrounding counties. Current valid driver’s license and the willingness to drive through the five-county area and beyond necessary.
Requires some flexible work schedule, evening and weekend hours.
Trauma-Informed Principles
Northern Children’s Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, nonviolence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma-informed principles, ensuring that we create a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff.
A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions.
Therefore, we strive to:
- Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
- Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
- Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
- Apply person-first, strengths-based language: Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").
By adhering to these principles, we ensure that our workplace is not only effective but also compassionate and inclusive for everyone.
Americans with Disabilities: As with all positions at Northern Children’s Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individual. We recognize the American With Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on a case- by case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.
DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED IN EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, ASSIGNMENT OR DISMISSAL, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, and HANDICAP, OR RECEIPT OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL DISABILITY.
