Transitional Support Counsellor

OAITH; Orangeville; Hybrid; CAD 47,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Transition Place is seeking a Transitional Support Counsellor to provide housing, legal and transitional support, information and referrals to women who have experienced abuse or homelessness. The role includes developing safety plans, assisting with housing access, and advocating with systems to meet clients’ needs.

You will maintain resources on housing, legal and transitional information, liaise with agencies, complete client records, and contribute to program planning.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Social Services or related field with some experience
• Eligible for registration with OCSWSSW
• Knowledge of violence against women and related issues

Responsibilities

• Provide information, support and referrals to women accessing Outreach services
• Develop safety and transitional housing plans for clients
• Advocate with systems to meet housing, legal and social needs
• Maintain current housing, legal and transitional information resources
• Coordinate with agencies and staff on service delivery
• Participate in planning and evaluation of services

Skills

Communication skills

Report writing

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Listening and empathy

Risk assessment

Feminist philosophy

Intersectionality lens

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Services

Eligible for OCSWSSW registration

Job description

The Transitional Support Counsellor will provide housing, legal and transitional support, information and referrals to women who have experienced abuse or homelessness

Responsibilities:
Providing information, support and referrals to women who access the Outreach service by:

• Assisting women to develop safety and transitional plans
• Supporting women to find safe and affordable housing
• Maintaining a current understanding of information and options regarding housing, legal (criminal and family law) and transitional issues
• Advocating with a variety of systems to address the housing, legal and social needs of individual clients including employment, financial, education, health and immigration
• Assisting clients with applications for Housing Across Dufferin, Homelessness Prevention Program, Market Rental Units, Coordinated Access Transitional Housing (CATH) and Housing Allowances
• Maintaining a liaison with appropriate agencies, organizations and committees dealing with housing, legal and transitional issues

Participating with the Shelter and Outreach Services team in the planning and organization of services by:

• Developing and maintaining current resources on housing, legal and transitional information
• Acting as a resource to staff regarding housing and legal issues
• Completing client information records, reporting and statistical information according to agency requirements
• Assessing the effectiveness of services based on client feedback and evaluation
• Conducting relevant evaluation and research and recommending and implementing changes as appropriate
• Participating in team meetings
• Maintaining an understanding of Dufferin resources and Coordinated Access.
• Providing suggestions that will improve efficiency, working conditions or procedures to Coordinated Access Table (CAT)

Working on community advocacy projects by:

• Maintaining a current understanding of how patriarchy and oppression perpetuate violence against women
• Participating in agency and sector based social justice awareness initiatives
• Building partnerships in the community aimed at ending violence against women by developing protocols, policies and procedures that promote equality, consistent responses and accountability
• Providing occasional presentations to professional and community groups
• Providing support, options and referrals to community, legal and social service resources

Committing to the agency’s core values of: Compassion, Integrity, Equity and Social Responsibility

Adhering to FTP policies and procedures and compliance with required legislative and regulatory requirements such as OHSA, AODA, etc.

Demonstrating initiative and a dedicated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, showcasing a proactive approach to continuous learning and active participation in fostering an inclusive work environment

Performing other duties or responsibilities as negotiated or assigned

Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• Post-Secondary education in Social Services or a related field with some experience in the same or similar setting
• Eligible for registration with OCSWSSW
• Knowledge of issues of violence against women and children, including the intersection with mental health and addictions
• Communication and report writing skills
• Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize
• Interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to calmly assess security and risk situations and respond appropriately following required policies and procedures
• Must be able to utilize listening skills, empathy and interpersonal skills when dealing with clients
• Maintain a current understanding of feminist philosophy
• Works from an ARAO/Intersectionality lens

Employment Requirements:

• Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance Certificate and maintaining clearance requirements during course of employment
• Valid driver’s license and insurance to allow for client transport
• CPR and First Aid Certification

Physical / Mental Effort:

Based on the work schedule/flow the frequency of the following tasks will vary according to need:

• Changing priorities and workflow to accommodate needs of others, and imposed deadlines
• Working with individuals in crisis situations
• Working under pressure to meet imposed deadlines while performing daily duties
• Using interpersonal skills, empathy and acute listening skills
• Using good problem solving and crisis management skills
• Attending Second Stage Houses

Working Conditions:

• Shared office environment
• Second Stage Houses
• Busy environment with many interruptions
• Many activities occurring in community settings
• Rural and urban driving conditions in all seasons

Hours of Work:

• 35 hours per week

Salary Range:

• $47,193.00 - $58,982.00

The successful candidate will join a compassionate, caring and forward-thinking family of professionals.

Our steadfast feminist and family-first approach guides the work we do. We are committed to ensuring that FTP continues to boast strong staff retention and satisfaction through consistent collaboration, communication, skills and culture development opportunities throughout our organization.

Our commitment to our internal agency values of compassion, respect, inclusion, continuous learning and integrity is unwavering, and we are striving to create a culture rooted in inclusiveness. We are committed to unlearning biases and working towards undoing systemic racism and oppression towards, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, 2SLGBTQ+ and all marginalized identities.

We are focused on innovation and enhancement of our services for our clients; we are equally focused on creating a workplace that works with our staff. We are deeply proud of the culture we have developed, and the staff who continue to help us shape it. We’d love to have you join us!

Family Transition Place is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of employment. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with diverse backgrounds and those with disabilities. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Family Transition Place is dedicated to achieving a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community it serves and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We thank all applicants, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

AI will not be used to filter candidates