Case Worker

General objective of the job

The case worker is responsible for the overall case management of a child in line with international standards of case management and acts according to the guiding principles of Child Protection case management including: child centred approach, respect of confidentiality, prioritize according to safety concerns, ‘do not harm’,  ensure a non-discriminatory approach, act according to the best interest of the child, ensure accountability, respect professional boundaries and avoid conflict of interest; ensures child participation.

S/he ensures that protection principles are understood, maintained and enforced.

S/he organizes and carries out work to address an individual (and their family’s) needs in an appropriate, systematic and timely matter through direct support and / or referrals.

Position in the organisation

The case worker is part of the Program Development Department and reports to the Program Development Advisor/ Case Management Coordinator.

S/he does not manage staff.

S/he collaborates closely with other case workers, social workers, NGO’s, INGO’s and by specific assessment of forbidden areas for identification and referral of cases.

Result areas

Case Management

• Conducts initial assessments for child protection cases;
• Assesses and prioritizes cases according to risk level;
• Based on the needs identified through the assessment, develops a case management plan, through child participation and according to the best interest of the child;
• Identifies individual children in need of case management through regular presence in the community;
• Accepts children referred to WCH by other agencies and community partners;
• Adapt/develop vulnerability criteria fitting the local context;

• Identifies, refers and follows up on all services and ensures action points are carried out within the agreed timeframe;
• Regularly reviews and when needed, adjusts action plan to ensure progress;
• Manages cases in line with the national practical guidelines and Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs);
• Documents cases using case notes and regularly updates the database to ensure comprehensive record of each case;
• Ensures data collection and storage is done in a confidential manner;
• Monitors, guides, advises and supports children and caregivers throughout the process;
• Ensures that children receive multidisciplinary and holistic support;
• Participates in relevant case workers meetings, including case management coordination hubs and peer to peer sessions;
• Provides mapping of the available services and organizations operating in the area;
• Ensures coordination and synergy with the main service providers in the area of intervention for prompt referral, follow up and information sharing;
• Provides weekly updates on cases to the Program Development Advisor/Case Management Coordinator;

Result: A case management plan for each child is developed, implemented, monitored and adjusted in such a way that the cases are managed until closure within a set timeframe and work-plan.

Child protection activities

• Develops and maintains effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including INGOs and local agencies, community leaders and service providers in areas of implementation;
• Coach and train local NGOs on child protection, child safety, identification and referral pathway ;
• Supports the development of child protection material through coordination with social workers, including WCH PSS and Education team;
• Coordinates with social workers for internal identified cases and supports in external referral;
• Ensures child protection concerns identified from staff members/field are raised and addressed;
• Participates when needed in the child protection working group;
• Shares relevant information regarding child protection needs/gaps to inform child protection programming;
• Reports any violation of the Child Safeguarding policy to the Child Safeguarding Focal Point;
• Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as directed by the Program Development Advisor/Child Protection;

 Coordination and representation 

• Coordinate with other team members, mainly CP ,PSS and Education teams, to ensure that child protection case management connects and is mainstreamed in other WCH areas of work;

• Aligns the WCH country programme with national and inter-agency CM programmes, methods, tools, etc.
• Represents WCH externally, in relevant platforms/networks/working groups focused on CP themes;
• Contribute to the development/revision of child protection case management materials developed in working groups/platforms/networks internally and externally;
• Supports the identification and packaging of CP advocacy issues and trends ;

Knowledge and Experience

Accredited social work degree or other social science degree;

Minimum 2 years of experience in case management in Lebanon within emergency response;

Good understanding of the local context and social welfare and legal system for child protection services in Lebanon;

Previous experience working with children/refuges/vulnerable populations;

Proven experience engaging with different target groups from all backgrounds (children, families, local and international organization, government, etc.);

Skills and Competencies

Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of children at all times;

Ability to provide technical support, trainings and supervision of CP case workers;

Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility;

Flexibility in working overtime when needed;

Computer literacy (Microsoft Word and Excel);

Strong communication skills;

Fluency in Arabic;

Strong English skills;

Cultural sensitivity;

“Commitment to the vision and goals of War Child Holland in Lebanon, including adherence to the Child Safety Policy, is essential”