Counsellor, Strengthening Families

THE JEAN TWEED CENTRE | COUNSELLOR, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

Counsellor, Strengthening Families

Full-time, permanent (union)

Job Title: Counsellor, Strengthening Families

Status: Union, Full-time, contract

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Location: 215 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1J5

Rate of Pay: $25.89 – $30.28 per hour

Deadline to Apply: Until filled

Program/Department Summary

The Strengthening Families for the Future designed for children ages 7 to 11 and their caregivers to support caregivers increase parenting skills, children’s life skills, and improve family relations.

Position Purpose

The Counsellor provides outreach, counselling, referral and case management services to serve women and their families who are experiencing difficulties with substance use, mental health, and/or gambling concerns.

This position involves the promotion of healthy child development and coordination with the child welfare system. The position promotes and facilitates the development of systematic linkages with professionals in order to support consistent interactions between clients, service providers and child welfare workers where necessary.

Responsibilities

Service

• Conduct client intake where designated.
• Assess clients’ needs to determine a service plan.
• Engage families in a therapeutic relationship to address their parenting and child development concerns, and liaison with appropriate child welfare agencies
• Engage in a variety of trauma-informed service strategies to help meet the needs of families
• Provide brief group and individual counselling that is trauma-informed.
• Engage in a variety of service strategies to help meet the clients’ needs including: facilitating and co- facilitating groups; individual counselling; assisting clients in the development of their goals; evaluation of client progress.
• Provide referrals and linkages for additional supports (such as mental health assessments, primary care, etc.).
• Liaise with existing supports and services for clients to promote seamless and integrated care.
• Engage in capacity building within agencies and across the mental health and substance use sector in the GTA for trauma-informed care.

Administration

• Maintain documentation of relevant client interactions and interventions, and contacts with collateral supports.
• Monitor the progress of clients, prepare reports and letters as necessary.
• Participate in community and service network meetings to promote awareness of targeted program and service needs of the target population.
• Participate in staff meetings, team development and supervision meetings.
• Collaborate with the supervisor to discuss job performance and establish professional goals.
• Engage in ongoing staff development and personal learning as agreed to in performance reviews.

Organizational

• Conduct job responsibilities with a commitment to harm reduction, trauma- informed, women-centered and anti-oppressive practices.
• Abide by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and work in a manner that is safe, reporting incidents immediately to direct supervisor.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of The Jean Tweed Centre.
• Perform other duties as assigned in order to meet the overall goals and objectives of The Jean Tweed Centre.
• Maintain a client service orientation including learning about and addressing client needs and concerns.
• Work collaboratively including respect others, sharing information, consulting and celebrating shared successes.
• Demonstrate accountability by holding self-responsible and following through on commitments.
• Support inclusion and equity by respecting others, embracing diversity and addressing oppression.
• Commit to continuous learning through professional development, giving and receiving constructive feedback and applying new skills.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Child and Youth Care/Worker, Social Work, or Social Service Worker y or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supporting families who may have complex needs and experiences
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Working knowledge of the social service system in the designated service area.
• Proficiency in computer skills.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Experience working with the Child Welfare System Experience and/or interest in working with parents and children with special attention to the development of infants and children.
• Experience working in community-based settings and familiarity with a community development approach.
• A demonstrated commitment to broadening knowledge and skills.

Ready to apply?

Submit your cover letter and resume:

We thank all applicants, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. If selected to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please inform People & Culture of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any material or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply, but Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority.