Case Worker – Mental Health and Justice

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Toronto is seeking a dedicated Case Worker for its Mental Health and Justice program. The ideal candidate will assist individuals with mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system, using trauma-informed practices and harm reduction approaches. This role offers a chance to create inclusive community initiatives and engage with diverse populations. Compensation includes a salary of $59,399 annually plus benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage

Employer pension contribution

Generous vacation and sick leave policy

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in a direct service setting with marginalized communities.
• Understanding of mental illness and its intersection with the criminal justice system.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Assist tenants in maintaining their tenancy obligations.
• Conduct risk assessments for individuals in the program.
• Develop individualized support plans for clients.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Conflict mediation

Culturally sensitive services

Education

Bachelor of Social Work

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Hours: 35 hours per week (including evenings, weekend hours, shares on-call responsibilities)

Salary: $59,399 annually (L7), plus comprehensive benefits

Location: 389 Church Street Toronto, Ontario M5B 2E5

Internal Application Deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025

External Application Deadline: Monday, October 6, 2025

JOIN OUR TEAM

YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

The Case Worker – Mental Health and Justice is responsible for supporting tenancy through eviction prevention, developing and implementing community development initiatives, with the goal of creating a dynamic and inclusive community and engagement with the broader community, through a Trauma Informed, harm reduction and AOP lens that meets the emotional, practical and social support needs of the tenant community. The case worker works with individuals who have been diagnosed with mental illness and have been involved in the criminal justice system (e.g., police, probation and parole, courts, incarceration, etc.) or are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system. They support compliance with legal requirements through on-going support and case management functions, and is present from Pre-diversion to Parole and Probation.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM, CHURCH STREET

YWCA Toronto Church Street facility includes 120 units of permanent housing. The integrated model creates a safe, inclusive and supportive community for tenants and is designated for women and gender diverse people who are: chronically homeless or at risk of homelessness; women and gender diverse people following transitions from provincially-funded institutions and service systems such as hospitals or prisons; and homeless Indigenous women/two-spirit people. As part of Housing Support program at the YWCA, the program goals include housing stabilization, harm reduction, health promotion and increased access to primary health care and acute mental health services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Uses effective eviction prevention measures to assist tenants to assume and maintain their tenancy obligations
• Uses harm reduction principles in facilitating and supporting tenant-centered activities (e.g. tenant committees related to areas of importance for residents such as safety, health and wellness, building-related issues, housing stability, etc.)
• Conducts risk assessment for all individuals referred to the Mental Health and Justice program
• Engages individuals in identifying needs, developing treatment plans, and assists tenants to problem solve and access relevant community support plans that identify ongoing housing and mental health/addictions support
• Liaises with all stakeholders, criminal justice personnel, other agency personnel, family, etc., and participates in case conferences
• Monitors and ensures compliance with all legal conditions including program requirements and treatment plans through assessment interviews, self-reporting, feedback from community and social service agencies as well as law enforcement agencies
• Works with a tenant support network and referral partners to develop individualized support plans that identify ongoing housing and mental health/addictions support
• Working with the Manager, participates in the team as a specialist in the area of innovative community development and capacity building with marginalized and mixed communities
• Applies the use of trauma informed practices to support individuals and community engagement/development
• Engages with the staff team in reflective practice to ensure the development and implementation of quality programs and services
• Ensures accurate, timely documentation of program and tenant support initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

• General knowledge of an academic or technical discipline normally acquired through the completion of an undergraduate degree (example: Bachelor of Social Work in mental health and health and justice field, e.g., BSW) (Cases for Equivalency will be considered)
• 3-5 years’ experience working in a diverse, direct service setting with people who experience impacts of poverty, homelessness/under-housing, violence/trauma, mental health/addictions/ or concurrent disorders, and other sources of marginalization or oppression
• Understanding of mental illness, its impact and how it intersects with the criminal justice system
• Understanding of the criminal and legal justice system
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating leadership within groups & developing dynamic and innovative programming
• Supportive counseling and group-work approach that is flexible, client-centered and strengths-based
• Life Skills certificate an asset
• Arts based and social media skills an asset
• Working knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Housing Services Act, and Ontario Human Rights Code
• Excellent crisis intervention and conflict mediation skills, with ability to remain calm in crisis
• Proven experience working independently, developing and facilitating groups
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services and very good knowledge and understanding of community resources
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and excellent oral and written communication
• Working knowledge and application of anti-oppression, Trauma Informed, Harm Reduction, and feminist framework
• Knowledge of a second language or culture an asset

WHAT WE OFFER

• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
• Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
• Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
• Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants, this position is not secondable.

Posting date: September 24, 2025

YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing.

We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.

Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring.

YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.