Subsidiary 6 – Social services

Overview

Evaluators need to understand why the job exists, determine the focus of the work and have a sound understanding of the job responsibilities, then assess it against the:

• stream definitions for each Subsidiary by considering the stream descriptor in its entirety rather than isolated phrases
• guide charts
• benchmark jobs developed for each Subsidiary and Stream, which identify the number of levels and characterize the difference between the work in each level in a Stream

In some cases, it may be necessary to assess the work by using the guide charts and benchmarks for the management plan.

The following questions can be used as a guide:

• Which Subsidiary and Stream do the job responsibilities fall within?
• What is the rating?
• Which benchmark job aligns with the kind and level of work?
• Where appropriate, do the job responsibilities compare to the Management Job Evaluation Plan and the benchmarks?

Work currently performed within the Social Services component of the Government of Alberta has been evaluated using a point rating system. To assess whether a job falls within the Social Services component, consider the type of work performed. Determine the focus of the job: why does the job exist? Once you have clarified the job's purpose, determine whether the job belongs in this Subsidiary and, if so, in which Stream. In general, the work in this component has a focus on the social services system. Three groupings have been recognized in the Social Services component of the Alberta Public Service. These are:

Stream definitions

Child and Youth Care

The work in this stream is primarily working with children and youth in both secure and open care centres. For the most part, this work is performed within a multi-disciplinary team and is focused on ensuring the treatment or care plan developed by the team for each child is followed. Work in this stream is often focused on hands-on, front-line counseling in a centre. This stream also includes the supervision of the front-line function, as well as the work done in outreach situations where assistance is provided in homes. The goal is to maintain or re-establish the family unit.

• Benchmark listing – Child and Youth Care (PDF, 403 KB)
• Minimum Recruitment Standards – Child and Youth Care (PDF, 18 KB)

Human Services

This work is primarily involved in assisting Albertans involved in the social services system. Acting within legislative parameters, the work ranges from ensuring appropriate documentation is in place to support decision making, to apprehending children from high risk situations, to ensuring services provided by external agencies are appropriate for the community, to developing policy and procedures for implementing related regulations and legislation. Work in this stream is found in all facets of the social services system within Alberta, including but not limited to adoptions and foster care, handicapped children's services, licensing day care facilities, etc. Many of the jobs are involved in determining eligibility for program assistance or for elements within a specific program. The goal is to foster self-reliance and strong, positive families that are functioning contributors to the Alberta economy and society.

• Benchmark listing – Human Services (PDF, 1.3 MB)
• Minimum Recruitment Standards – Human Services (PDF, 28 KB)

Psychology

The work in this stream is focused on working with children, youth or adults in care or correctional centres. This is specialized work, applying psychological knowledge and theories to a variety of situations. Often the work is performed in multi-disciplinary teams to develop and implement care or treatment or behaviour support plans. Positions may be called upon to assess the level of risk individual clients pose to themselves, to others in the centre and to the public. Jobs may be found in child care centres, youth or adult correctional centres, remand centres, dependent adult centres, or in community settings dealing with clients who are living in other types of arrangements. The goal of the work is to support the work in the specific program or centre and is often focused on assessment, risk reduction and crisis intervention.

• Benchmark listing – Psychology (PDF, 214 KB)
• Minimum Recruitment Standards – Psychology (PDF, 29 KB)

Benchmark listings

• Child and Youth Care (PDF, 335 KB)
• Human Services (PDF, 335 KB)
• Psychology (PDF, 214 KB)

Classes and point bands

Table 1. Subsidiary 6 classes and point bands