The Children's Law Center (CLC) is a non-profit legal services organization that represents children in custody, visitation, guardianship, paternity, family offense, and related child protective (abuse or neglect) proceedings in the Family Courts and the Integrated Domestic Violence Parts of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and in appeals therefrom. CLC represents approximately 5,000 children annually in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, providing holistic and zealous representation and support in the Court, the community and the legislature.
CLC's mission is to empower our clients, prevent trauma and promote wellbeing.
Description
CLC’s team of social workers provide support, referrals and assessment of children involved in family court proceedings. Our clients frequently have complex histories, including family dissolution and conflict, domestic violence, mental health issues, and educational challenges among other needs. Our social workers team with CLC staff attorneys, caseworkers, paralegals and client services staff to provide outstanding client services to CLC clients.
CLC is building a social work-legal team dedicated to preventing our clients from becoming further enmeshed in the child protective system. The Preventing System Involvement (PSI) team will provide holistic support to children whose families are experiencing ACS investigation or other issues that may lead to further system engagement.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Social work is a key part of the CLC’s mission. Social workers engage with our clients and, as allowed, with their families to provide services that strengthen both family and community supports.
Specifically, social workers:
- Conduct assessments, create service plans and make referrals.
- Accompany clients and or attorneys as needed to appointments, services, or hearings.
- Assist attorneys in developing the advocacy needs of the case.
- Testify in court as needed.
- Communicate with client’s other mental health providers, teachers or social service professions and provide regular updates to the attorney.
- Work collaboratively with other staff and follow social work best practices.
- Attend supervision, team, and office-wide meetings and maintain a positive team environment.
- Other appropriate duties as assigned.
- The ideal candidates will have social work experience working with children.
