Child and Youth Counsellor

Child and Youth Counsellor (Full-Time Contract)

Ernestine’s Shelter is a community-based organization providing safety, advocacy, and support to women, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals, youth, and children experiencing genderbased violence. Grounded in a solidarity model, Ernestine’s acknowledges the complex realities facing survivors of abuse and delivers crisis intervention alongside a range of holistic, trauma-informed services.

The Child and Youth Counselor is an integral team member that provides direct support to children, youth and parent/caregivers who reside at the shelter. This Individual will bring strong program facilitation, counselling and program development skills, knowledge in providing direct and indirect services to children, youth and caregivers escaping violence, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution and relationship building skills, advocacy, referrals, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling. The Child and Youth Counselor will interact with children, youth and adult clients and demonstrates commitment to antiracism, anti-oppression, and intersectional feminist practice. The Counsellor ensures the application of Ernestine’s guiding principle which recognizes the impact of violence on children and acknowledges that the rights of children are separate and distinct from those of their parents.

Specifically, the Child and Youth counsellor develops implements and evaluates age appropriate programming for young children and youth. The Counselor will develop and deliver trauma-informed programs for children, youth and caregivers residing at the shelter. The counselor will also provide individualized support to children, youth and caregivers. Individual and group programming must meet the needs of pre-birth, infants, toddlers, pre-school, school age, youth and their parents/caregivers by supporting them with the following: trauma recovery; emotional regulation and attachment; harm reduction and appropriate boundaries; safety planning; advocacy and referrals.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide one-on-one client support in emotional, cognitive, social and physical development, and case management for children and youth residing in the shelter.
• Conduct child and youth intake procedures, safety planning and risk management with clients.
• Acts as an advocate with emphasis placed on developing appropriate child and youth resources and connections to community supports, including warm referrals to external programs and services as determined by each child, youth and/ or caregiver.
• Take a leadership role in case conferences with internal and external teams to support client needs, including supporting parents/caregivers involved with child protective agencies.
• Respond to crisis in the shelter and facilitate a co-operative living environment amongst children, youth and parents/caregivers by providing excellent crisis counselling, supportive counselling, role modeling, conflict mediation, and de-escalation skills.
• Proficient in fostering and maintaining a trauma-informed approach and harm reduction framework in work with children, youth and parents/caregivers.
• Plan and facilitate developmentally appropriate on-site activities for the child and youth in the shelter, including attachment-based programming with child and caregiver.
• Deliver, in group settings, a variety of educational and counselling sessions as determined by client needs.
• Support planning of special events and celebrations, including birthdays, March break, summer programming and global holidays.
• Develop and implement awareness building education and specialized programs on the impacts of gender based violence on child and youth and gender-based violence shelters for targeted audiences
• Coordinate distribution of donated items to clients year-round and during organization-led events and holidays.
• Work with external organizations to maximize clients’ access to resources and to enhance services (i.e., Parks and Recreation Activities; child care subsidy, academic support).
• Under the direction of the Supervisor, Programs and Client Services, identify and participate in community committees, networks and initiatives that address systemic issues related to children and youth experiences of gender-based violence.
• Keep current of trends, community resources and developments in the child and youth and gender-based violence sector by participating in workshops, conferences, and continued professional development.
• Source and maintain opportunities for collaborative partnership and appropriate referral list with like-minded organizations to address needs of children and youth witnessing and/or experiencing violence.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum three years’ experience working in a counselling capacity with women, Two- Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals and children/youth who have experienced sexual abuse and/or violence in relationships.
• Knowledge of the impact of systemic marginalization on women and children, including sexism, racism, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, and dis/ability.
• Post-secondary education and previous front-line shelter work is required.
• Demonstrated crisis intervention, risk assessment and management and case management skills.
• Demonstrated competencies in communication, innovation, creative problem-solving, flexibility and adaptability, accountability and strategic and collaborative thinking.
• Demonstrated organizational ability and time management skills to handle caseload requirements, set priorities, compile statistical data and reports for review and evaluation.
• Experience working within a diverse work setting and with a diverse client population.
• Excellent professional & empathetic communication and conflict management skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to client’s immediate needs effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team in a collaborative environment.
• Intermediate computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Fluency in a second language considered an asset.
• Valid vulnerable check and CPR.

Position Details

Job Type: Full-time, 1-year contract (to cover a leave)

Hours: 35 hours per week, flexible schedule

Salary: $50,000 – $55,000 annually (prorated to term of contract), two-weeks paid vacation, plus benefits.

How to Apply

If this opportunity resonates with you, please send your resume and cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the role.

Please include “Child and Youth Counselor” in the subject line.

Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter upholds the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the Ontario Human Rights Code. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals, Two-Spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary individuals to apply, including racialized, Indigenous and individuals with disabilities to apply.

If contacted, please advise if you require accommodation at any juncture of the recruitment and/or hiring process.

Application deadline: February 13 by 5P.

No telephone inquiries, please.