Transitional Support Counsellor

Family Transition Place; Orangeville; On-site; CAD 47,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Transition Place in Ontario is seeking a Transitional Support Counsellor to provide housing, legal and transitional support to women who have experienced abuse or homelessness. The role involves advocacy, planning and coordination with community resources, and direct client support.

Join a compassionate team focused on feminist and family-first approaches, with opportunities to collaborate across shelter and outreach services and to contribute to program development and evaluation.

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary education in Social Services or a related field and some experience in a similar setting.
• Eligible for registration with OCSWSSW.
• Knowledge of issues related to violence against women and children, including mental health and addictions.

Responsibilities

• Develop safety and transitional plans with women.
• Assist clients in finding safe, affordable housing.
• Maintain knowledge of housing, legal and transitional options.
• Advocate with systems to address housing, legal and social needs.
• Assist with applications for housing programs and transfers.

Skills

Empathy & listening

Communication

Report writing

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Risk assessment

Feminist philosophy

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Services

OCSWSSW registration eligibility

Job description

Transitional Support Counsellor

Full Time Permanent - 35 hours per week

Purpose of the Position

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

Responsibilities

• 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

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• 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.

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