Residential Support Worker

John Howard Society of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 31,216 - 39,729; Full time

Job summary

John Howard Society of Toronto is seeking a Residential Support Worker for the Homeward Bound Residence in Toronto, ON. The role focuses on day-to-day supervision, counselling, and case support within a 24/7 residential setting.

You will document interactions, manage a limited caseload, and assist with medication administration while upholding professional boundaries and safety protocols. This relief position requires sensitivity to mental health and addiction challenges and collaboration with a

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Social Services, Social Work, Criminology, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with mental health and addiction challenges.
• Experience in residential/community supervision or justice-involved settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day counselling, supervision, and case support to residents.
• Document significant interactions in the client database and maintain accurate records.
• Administer and document medications per policy without diagnosing or altering schedules.
• Maintain a secure, supportive residential environment and respond to emergencies or alarms.
• Perform administrative duties, ensure policy compliance, and assist in policy reviews.

Skills

Counselling

Case management

De-escalation techniques

Professional boundaries

Cultural competency

Trauma-informed practice

Team collaboration

Education

Degree or Diploma in Social Services/Related field

Tools

Client database

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION

Job Title: Residential Support Worker (Existing Role)

Department: Homeward Bound Residence

Reports To: Team Leader, Residential Services (or designate)

Location: Homeward Bound Residence, Toronto, ON

Employment Status: Relief

Hours of Work: Hours and Days may vary depending on needs of the program (Weekdays, weekends, statutory holidays, overnights)

Salary: $22.66 to $28.84 per hour with additional shift premiums for evening, overnight, and weekend hours

Classification: A (Subject to the Collective Agreement)

Potential Start Date: August 15, 2026

Date Created/Updated: March 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

This position provides day-to-day counselling, supervision, and case support to residents of Homeward Bound Residence, a community-based program serving justice-involved men under Probation Orders, Conditional Sentence Orders, and/or Parole Certificates. The role ensures a safe, secure, and accountable living environment while supporting residents to meet court-ordered conditions, adhere to program expectations, reduce risk of recidivism, and work toward successful community reintegration through cognitive and behavioural change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Resident Supervision & Support

• Provide responsive, shift-based support to residents, addressing immediate needs while reinforcing accountability and program expectations.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of each client’s community supervision orders as outlined by their Probation and Parole Officer.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of each resident’s identified risk, need, and responsivity factors, and incorporate this framework into daily supervision, decision-making, and interventions.
• Develop professional, goal-oriented working relationships with residents to support progress toward individualized reintegration goals, while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Deliver services in a way that reflects the racial, cultural, linguistic, and gender-specific needs of the community served.
• Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression frameworks in all professional interactions and service delivery.
• Remain awake, alert, and actively engaged in supervision responsibilities at all times while on shift.

B. Case Management Support

• Document all significant interactions with clients in the database, log book, or formal incident report as the situation dictates.
• Enter and maintain accurate, timely data in the agency’s client database.
• Use objective, non-judgmental language in all documentation.
• Understand that records may be used in legal, correctional, or clinical review processes.
• Complete incident/occurrence reports as required per JHST policy and procedure.
• Assume responsibility for a limited caseload at the discretion of the Team Leader.
• Administer and document medications in accordance with program policy.

C. Safety & Security

• Ensure a secure, accountable, and supportive residential environment in compliance with Society policies and procedures, particularly around confidentiality and health and safety.
• Monitor and maintain all established program procedures and policies.
• Respond appropriately to fire safety, security, and emergency situations, including crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Make appropriate decisions based on resident supervision orders and risk factors, in compliance with Society policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate understanding of risk management and the four principles of effective intervention: risk, need, responsivity, and professional discretion.

D. Administrative Duties

• Perform administrative duties including filing, photocopying, and putting together intake packages.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with agency standards, contractual obligations, and external audits.
• Contribute to the review and revision of agency policies, procedures, and program rules as required.
• Perform other duties or assignments as assigned by the Team Leader of Residential Services or Director.

E. Professional Conduct

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents.
• Uphold confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.

F. Medication Support Responsibilities

• Observe and document resident self-administration of prescribed medication in accordance with policy.
• Maintain medication logs accurately and in real time.
• Report missed doses, irregularities, or concerns immediately to designated clinical authority.
• Store medications in secured areas following organizational and legal requirements.
• Never diagnose, prescribe, or alter medication schedules.

Training Requirements

• Medication awareness training (non-clinical).
• Privacy and documentation standards.
• Overdose recognition and emergency response (including naloxone where applicable).

Safety Considerations

• Follow infection-control procedures.
• Use PPE when required.

Do not handle sharps unless specifically trained and authorized.

G. Overnight & Awake Shift Responsibilities

• Conduct scheduled wellness and security checks.
• Monitor building safety systems and respond to alarms.
• Maintain a quiet, structured environment conducive to resident stability.
• Complete detailed overnight logs and incident reports.
• Physical & Cognitive Demands
• Ability to remain alert throughout shift hours.
• Independent decision-making with limited on-site staffing.
• Frequent walking, stair use, and environmental monitoring.

Safety Requirements

• Adhere to lone-worker protocols.
• Maintain access to emergency communication systems.
• Participate in shift check-in/check-out procedures.

4. QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Degree or Diploma in Social Services, Social Work, Criminology, Psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of demonstrated experience working with individuals with mental health and addiction challenges.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service systems, and referral processes.
• Experience working in residential, community supervision, or justice-involved settings preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation and report writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Experience using de-escalation techniques in crisis or high-risk situations.

Certifications:

• Valid First Aid/CPR Certificate is required.
• Crisis Prevention / De-escalation Training (e.g., UMAB or CPI).
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal record and vulnerable sector background check is a required condition of employment.

5. CORE COMPETENCIES

• Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure
• Strong interpersonal and boundary-setting skills
• Observation and report-writing ability
• Cultural competency and trauma-informed practice
• Ability to manage conflict respectfully and safely
• Reliability and emotional resilience

6. WORKING CONDITIONS

• 24/7 residential environment requiring shift rotation.
• Exposure to individuals experiencing emotional distress, substance use, or behavioural challenges.
• Work performed in both office and residential living environments.
• Requirement to respond to unpredictable or emergent situations.

7. DETAILED PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANALYSIS

This role requires the ability to safely perform the following activities:

Mobility Requirements

• Frequent walking throughout the facility during supervision rounds.
• Ability to climb stairs multiple times per shift (#18 stairs).
• Standing for extended periods (up to several hours intermittently).
• Occasional rapid movement in response to emergencies.

Physical Tasks

• Ability to lift or move items up to 50 lbs (22 kg) (e.g., supplies, resident belongings).
• Occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, and crouching.
• Ability to assist in non-forceful physical guidance where safety is risk (as trained).

Sensory Demands

• Continuous situational awareness and observation of resident behaviour.
• Ability to hear verbal exchanges across busy environments.
• Reading detailed documentation and computer use for extended periods.
• Cognitive & Emotional Demands
• Sustained concentration in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to make timely decisions in stressful situations.
• Managing exposure to traumatic disclosures, emotional crises, or conflict.

8. PHYSICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• Participate in mandatory safety training (e.g., crisis intervention, fire safety, emergency response).
• Use verbal de-escalation as the primary safety intervention.
• Follow established protocols designed to prevent physical confrontation.
• Maintain safe positioning and environmental awareness.
• Activate emergency procedures without hesitation when risk is identified.
• Work within a team-based response model to ensure no staff manage high-risk situations alone (where operationally feasible).
• Use personal protective equipment (PPE) where required.
• Report hazards, incidents, and injuries immediately.

Important:
This role is not designed to include enforcement or physical restraint beyond trained, policy-authorized safety interventions.

9. PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH & SAFETY EXPECTATIONS

• Exposure to stressful and emotionally charged situations is inherent in the role.
• Employees are expected to utilize supervision, debriefing, and wellness supports.
• Participation in critical incident reviews may be required.
• Commitment to respectful workplace practices is mandatory.

10. LEGAL & POLICY COMPLIANCE

Employees must comply with:

• Organizational policies and code of conduct
• Confidentiality and privacy legislation
• Occupational Health & Safety requirements
• Human rights obligations and duty-to-accommodate principles
• Professional boundary and ethical practice standards