South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 114 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Article 49 - CHILD PLACING AGENCIES REGULATIONS
Section 114-4960 - Personnel Requirements

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 114-4960

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

A. Policies and Practices

(1) The child placing agency shall make available written personnel procedures and practices conducive to recruitment, retention, and effective performance by qualified personnel. These procedures and practices shall include, but not be limited to the following:
(a) Written job descriptions and titles for each position defining the qualifications, duties, and lines of authority;

(b) Provisions for activities which shall encourage professional growth through supervision, orientation, in-service training, and staff development;

(c) An evaluation of job performance at the end of a probationary period and at least annually thereafter for each staff member.

(2) A personnel file shall be maintained for each employee which includes, but is not limited to:
(a) The application for employment, including record of previous employment; social security number, personal information, and a signed notarized statement attesting to the information required in R. 114-4910 C(6);

(b) A notarized statement signed by the applicant;

(c) Qualifications for position;

(d) Required professional credentials/certifications;

(e) Copy of annual job performance evaluations;

(f) Training record and conferences attended including dates and topics;

(g) Commendations, disciplinary notices;

(h) Date(s) of employment and termination date(s);

(i) Reason(s) for termination;

(j) Forwarding address of former employer, if available;

(3) The employee shall have reasonable access to his/her file and shall be allowed to add any written statement he/she wishes at any given time. The personnel file of all employees who leave the child placing agency shall be maintained for a period of at least three (3) years.

B. Staff Functions and Qualifications

(1) Staff shall be employed who have education, training and experience to equip them for duties assigned. An adequate number of staff shall be employed to perform administrative, supervisory and child care functions.

(2) The child placing agency must request the Department to perform a Central Registry check prior to employment of all employees and volunteers working with children. These checks along with notarized statements shall show them to be in compliance with R. 114-4910, C (6).

(3) Agencies operating multistate programs under the supervision of an Executive Director shall serve or employ an assistant Director to whom the responsibility for administration of the South Carolina program shall be delegated.

(4) The Executive Director or Assistant Director shall have as a minimum a Bachelor's Degree and two years administrative experience in the field of human services. If the Executive Director or Assistant Director is responsible for direct supervision of casework services or provides direct placement services he/she shall have a Master's Degree in Social Work or a related field and at least two years administrative experience.

(5) The Executive Director or the Assistant Director shall:
(a) Be a full time resident of the State of South Carolina or a resident of a city located within twenty five (25) miles of the State's border;

(b) Be responsible for administration of policies and procedures established by the Board for operation of the Agency;

(c) Be responsible for preparation, or assisting in the preparation of the annual budget, and control of expenditures according to budget allowance;

(d) Be responsible for personnel matters including hiring, assigning duties, in service training, supervision, evaluation of staff and terminations;

(e) Be responsible for professional leadership and technical consultation to the Board, and for periodic evaluations of the Agency's performance in terms of the conditions of licensure;

(f) Represent the Agency in the community, maintain a good working relationship with other social agencies, services and resources within the community;

(g) Shall demonstrate through confidential references, an acceptable professional standard of ability and integrity. In determining the qualifications of the Director, the Department may inquire into relevant information concerning the Director's background, including but not limited to inquiries into complaints of unprofessional and unethical conduct.

(6) There shall be at least one Casework Supervisor. The Executive Director or assistant Director may perform this function if qualified. The Casework Supervisor shall be responsible for the supervision of the placement services.

(7) There shall be a minimum of one Casework Supervisor for every eight (8) Caseworkers.

(8) There shall be sufficient clerical staff to keep correspondence, records, bookkeeping and files current and in good order.

C. Staffing Requirements. Each supervisor shall be responsible for no more than eight (8) caseworkers. Caseworker's caseloads shall be limited to allow for all the required contacts with the children, biological families, foster families, adoptive families, and collateral parties.

D. Staff Development

(1) The child placing agency shall have a written plan for the orientation, ongoing training and development of all staff members.

(2) The child placing agency shall ensure that placement supervisors and child placement workers receive at least ten hours of training activities during each full year of employment. Activities related to supervision of the staff member's routine tasks shall not be considered training activities for the purpose of this requirement.

E. Volunteers

(1) A child placing agency which utilizes volunteers on a regular basis shall:
(a) Develop a description of duties and specify responsibilities for volunteer positions;

(b) Designate a staff member to supervise and evaluate volunteers;

(c) Have volunteers sign a statement indicating their understanding and compliance with confidentiality requirements.

(2) If volunteers are working directly with children, they shall:
(a) Be oriented and trained in the philosophy of the agency, the needs of the children served, the needs of their families, and the methods of meeting these needs.

(b) Be subject to reference checks under R. 114-4910, C (6);

(c) Be instructed as to their specific duties and be informed of a child's special needs as appropriate.

(3) Records shall be kept on the hours and activities of volunteers.

F. Certification Requirements. All certified Adoption Investigators and persons certified to take relinquishments must meet the requirements of 20-7-1750, South Carolina Code of Laws.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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