Behavioural Support Specialist_FT-Contract

LOFT Community Services; Toronto; On-site; CAD 67,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24/7 EAP

Online learning

Extra vacation

Personal & sick days

PD budget

Gym membership

Perkopolis discounts

DEI trainings

Job summary

LOFT Community Services is seeking a Behavioural Support Specialist to join the Mobile Support Teams in Toronto. You will provide direct care and education to seniors with dementia, mental health or related conditions, delivering tailored Behavioural Support Plans in home and community settings.

The role focuses on crisis intervention, care coordination and staff training, within a collaborative team. A degree in a health field plus an Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Science Technology is

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Psychology.
• Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Science Technology.
• Minimum three years related experience with vulnerable seniors and responsive behaviours.
• Experience delivering behavioural management interventions for the specified population.
• Extensive experience in training colleagues and stakeholders on strategies and interventions for responsive behaviours.
• Knowledge of current and developing behaviour support models and ability to implement key components into practice.
• Training/knowledge of PIECES, U-First!, Recovery/Psychosocial rehabilitation approaches.
• Understanding of recovery and psychosocial rehabilitation principles.
• Knowledge of dementia, delirium, mental health issues and their effects on seniors, families and caregivers.
• Knowledge of community resources and supports.
• Understanding of LOFT and the Behavioural Supports Ontario project principles.
• Valid driver's license and access to own vehicle; LOFT Personal Vehicle Usage Policy.
• Crisis intervention skills and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Good oral and written communication skills; MS Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical assessment and treatment recommendations through a comprehensive behavioural approach.
• Design, implement and monitor skill promotion and behaviour intervention programs in clients' homes and community settings.
• Provide crisis intervention, risk management and urgent care planning for referred individuals and caregivers.
• Assist in developing and implementing Behavioural Support Plans to improve quality of life and reduce escalating behaviours.
• Review and approve all Behavioural Support Plans for ethical adherence.
• Liaise with families, caregivers and multi-disciplinary providers to coordinate care.
• Provide ongoing training and consultation to staff, families and caregivers.
• Stay updated on current behavioural support models and disseminate knowledge to teams.
• Develop respectful relationships with clients based on Recovery and Psychosocial Rehabilitation principles.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow LOFT policies and procedures.
• Participate in team meetings, client conferences and multi-disciplinary discussions.
• Engage in required training and supervision with the Director of Behavioural Support Services.
• Coordinate with professionals and community partners to optimise client care.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Vulnerable seniors support

Behavioural support knowledge

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Driver's license

MS Word & Excel

Education

Undergraduate degree in Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Psychology

Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Science Technology

Job description

Title of Job: Behavioural Support Specialist
Date: November 3, 2026
Closing Date: November 17, 2026
Location: Toronto, ON - BSS Mobile Team
Compensation: $67,011 - $79,010 Annually Prorated
Contract Duration: until 31 August 2027
Work Type: Onsite
Job ID: 11104279
Existing or New Position: Existing

Who We Are

LOFT Community Services is a unique and dynamic charitable organization that supports people living with complicated issues such as mental and physical health challenges, substance use challenges, poverty and homelessness. Serving approximately 19,534 annually and providing 1,839 units of supportive housing last year, LOFT is one of Ontario’s largest mental health service providers of its kind. LOFT is also recognized as a Nonprofit Employer of Choice™ Award (NEOC) recipient.

Program Summary

The BSS-MSTs improve the health care services of older adults, their families and caregivers. The responsive program supports those who live and cope with behaviours/personal expressions associated with dementia, mental illness, addictions and other neurological conditions, when they require it and wherever they live, at home or elsewhere.

Job Summary

The Behavioural Support Specialist is a member of Mobile Support Teams that provides direct care, education and support to seniors who are demonstrating responsive behaviours that may be associated with various types of dementia, delirium, mental health, addictions or other neurological conditions living in a community setting within the geographical boundaries of the Central OHT. The Behavioural Support Specialist will provide direct service to support the client, family members and/or caregivers to mitigate escalating responsive behaviours. The Behavioural Support Specialist will collaborate with the other members of the Mobile Support Team on the development and delivery of effective Behavioural Support Plans comprised of behavioural management approaches, psychosocial supports and education to referred individuals and their caregivers. They will also liaise with community agencies, other practitioners and key partners to coordinate care for clients. In addition, they provide education and support to staff of the Mobile Support Teams to ensure current knowledge and trends in behavioural support.

What You Will Do

• Provide clinical assessment and treatment recommendations through a comprehensive behavioural approach.
• Design and ensure implementation and monitoring of skill promotion and behaviour intervention programs for identified clients in their homes and various community settings.
• Provide crisis intervention, risk management and urgent care planning for referred individuals and their caregivers. Identify and refer to crisis resources for high-risk individuals.
• Support client and BSS team in the development and implementation of Behavioural Support Plans tailored to the client’s needs and issues designed to improve quality of life and assist in the mitigation of responsive behaviours.
• Review, edit and approve all Behavioural Support Plans to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines in behaviour management.
• Act as a liaison and client advocate among those involved with the client’s care including family, other caregivers, medical and other multi-disciplinary providers.
• Provide support, on-going training and consultation to colleagues, family members and/or other caregivers to assist in mitigating escalating responsive behaviours.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current and developing behavioural support models and trends and disseminate this information to the teams.
• Develop respectful and trusting relationships with clients using Recovery and Psychosocial Rehabilitation principles.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and follow all other required policies and procedures.
• Consistently interact with clients, staff, family members, other community agencies and partners in a professional manner that reflects favourably on the organization and the Behavioural Supports Ontario Project.
• Effectively participate as a member of the Mobile Support Team; attend staff/team meetings, client care conferences, other multi-disciplinary meetings, committee meetings etc. as required.
• Attend and actively participate in all required training.
• Collaboratively participates in ongoing supervision with the Director of Behavioural Support Services.
• Liaise, collaborate and coordinate with other professionals, service providers and partners within the Behavioural Support Services;
• Complete other duties, from time to time, as assigned by management.

What You Bring

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in one of the following health professions: Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Psychology
• Completion of an Advanced Diploma in Behavioural Science Technology
• Minimum three years related experience in providing support to vulnerable seniors and older adults with responsive behaviours related to mental illness, addictions, dementia or other neurological conditions
• Demonstrated experience and skill in developing and delivering behavioural management interventions for specified population
• Extensive experience in training and educating colleagues, clients and key stakeholders on strategiesand interventions aimed at addressing responsive behaviours
• Knowledge of current and developing behaviour support models and the ability to implement the key components of those models into practice with clients
• Training/knowledge of P.I.E.C.E.S., U-First!, Recovery/Psychosocial rehabilitation approaches
• An understanding of recovery and psychosocial rehabilitation principles and the therapeutic relationship
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices related to dementia, delirium, mental health issues and their effect on seniors, families and caregivers
• Knowledge of community resources and supports
• Sound understanding and commitment to the principles of the Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) project and the Action Plan for the Central LHIN
• Valid drivers’ license and access to own vehicle is required; must meet the requirements of LOFT Community Services – Personal Vehicle Usage Policy
• Crisis intervention skills, with well-developed problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills
• Good oral and written communication skills and computer literacy, including MS Word and Excel

Work Environment

• Staff will be required to work in client’s home and may therefore be exposed to secondhand some
• Frequent travel within York Region is required

What We Offer

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program
• E-learning program available all year round
• Starting vacation time above minimum standard,
• Additional paid personal and paid sick days
• Professional development budget available to help you nurture and shape your career
• Corporate Gym membership rate with GoodLife Fitness
• Access to Perkopolis, a comprehensive corporate discount program
• Access to unlimited DEI trainings through partnership Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

LOFT Community Services is a values-driven organization with a deep belief that each person has the ability to grow and change. We value compassion, collaboration, and community delivered with dignity, innovation, and excellence. LOFT’s vision is that together, we can all live successfully in our community. Our client population reflects Ontario’s diverse community and it is LOFT’s goal to build a workforce who reflects that diversity. At LOFT, we hold the deep belief that skills and expertise can be cultivated in various ways. Therefore, even if you don't perfectly align with every listed criterion but feel you could flourish in this role, we highly encourage you to apply.

Note

• A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.
• This posting provides only a summary of the responsibilities and requirements for the position

LOFT Community Services is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment and dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live and serve. LOFT is committed to making employment opportunities accessible in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Requested accommodation will be provided in all parts of the application and hiring process by contacting [e-mail] or [phone].