Shelter Support Worker - Parent & Child Support Worker

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading women's organization in Toronto is looking for a Shelter Support Worker - Parent and Child Support Worker. This role involves providing crisis counselling and developing parenting workshops for mothers and their children in a safe and collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will have a degree in child development and 1-3 years of relevant experience. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered, along with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage

Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit

Pension Plan

20 Vacation Days

Child Care Benefits

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years’ experience in counselling and group work with clients at risk.
• Knowledge of the impacts of trauma on child development.
• Ability to work with an anti-oppression and feminist framework.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective support strategies for clients.
• Participate in case conferences and advocate for residents.
• Provide daily support services to residents.

Skills

Counselling

Crisis management

Interpersonal communication

Culturally sensitive service delivery

Child development knowledge

Education

Undergraduate degree in child development (e.g., BSW or BECE)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Employment Details

Employment Type: Full- Time, Permanent

Work Hours: 35 hours per week (rotating shifts)

Salary: $55,808 (Level 6) per annum, plus comprehensive benefits

Location: Confidential Address - Downtown Toronto

Internal Application Deadline: Monday, December 29, 2025

External Application Deadline: Wednesday December 31, 2025

Job Summary

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 Shelter Support Worker - Parent and Child Support Worker works within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. The Shelter Support Worker –Parent and Child Support Counselor is responsible for providing a full range of services which include crisis counselling and the development, implementation and evaluation of parenting workshops and programs for mothers and their children.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA ARISE

YWCA Arise provides safe and secure emergency shelter for women, gender diverse people and their children who are fleeing violence. The shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and supports 8 families and one single woman. In addition to shelter, families are offered case management support and enriching group and community activities to help them deal with the trauma they have experienced and begin to establish lives that are free of violence.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES

• Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of women abuse to develop and implement effective support strategies
• Participates in case conference and acts as an advocate on behalf of residents
• Provides daily support services to residents
• Interviews, conducts preliminary assessments and identifies clients’ needs in the areas of trauma support and woman abuse
• Provides case management support services to residents
• Applies knowledge, stays current and demonstrates skill in the area of child development, parenting, and other resources, and acts as a resource to staff and clients
• Provides updated information about schools, subsidized childcare, health care services other community supports
• Works with the women individually and/or in groups to develop improved social and living skills by assisting them to: set goals, follow through on plans, discuss alternatives and make choices and decisions
• Develops, implements, runs and evaluates parenting workshops and groups that address clients’ parenting and child development issues as well as trauma and abuse issues

QUALIFICATIONS

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of an undergraduate degree specializing in child development, for example BSW or BECE (Case for Equivalency will be considered)
• 1 to 3 years’ experience in counselling and group work with clients at risk including experience and training working with mothers in the areas of child development and parenting
• Knowledge of the impacts of trauma at various stages of child development and of child protection legislation and systems
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of abuse/violence against women and children
• Demonstrated experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops and groups
• Counselling approach that is flexible, de-escalates tension, teaches conflict resolution and is focused on success
• Ability to deliver culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment
• Ability to work with an anti-oppression and feminist framework
• Knowledge and understanding of trauma, mental health issues, employment, advocacy, children’s programming and/or substance abuse issues would be an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure
• Ability to handle crisis situations effectively both in person and by telephone
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the internet
• Ability to maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times
• Knowledge of a second language 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

Posting Date

December 18, 2025

Additional Information

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.