Shelter Diversion Worker

Shelter Diversion Worker

January 2025

As a Shelter Diversion worker for Durham Youth Services your priority is to uphold the organization’s vision to end youth homelessness in the Durham Region. Our mission is to provide programs for at-risk and homeless youth in the Durham Region to prevent homelessness, provide shelter and other opportunities that will support their success and end the stigma of homelessness.

Our values:

• Collaborative – We work with youth to develop the tools and resources that will enable their success and contribute to a thriving community
• Connected – We are focused on building and maintaining strong relationships with our partners and our community to support youth.
• Forward-Thinking – We are dedicated to identifying and implementing innovative and progressive solutions to ending youth homelessness.

TERMS OF POSITION

This position is for 37.5 hours a week, Monday-Friday, with flexibility to work daytime, evening, and weekend hours. The role is paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement with Liuna 3000 and Durham Youth Services at $24.65 per hour.

This list is meant to act as a guideline for all duties and responsibilities and as such does not cover every aspect of the position.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be positive, supportive, kind, caring, empathetic, gentle, respectful, and compassionate to all youth, staff, students, volunteers, and other community members
• Provide unbiased, non-judgmental support to all clients
• Build positive, professional rapport with clients, staff, volunteers, students, and other members of the community
• Communicate regularly and openly with the assigned supervisor and the Director of Housing and Outreach Programs as needed
• Attend all staff or individual meetings that are requested by the supervisor or leadership team
• Optimize team performance by contributing to positive and supportive work environment
• Value diversity by understanding and respecting the practices, customs and values of other individuals and cultures.
• Learn and uphold the philosophy of the Housing-First model

SHELTER DIVERSION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide Shelter Diversion support to all incoming youth calls directed by local shelters, which includes an initial assessment of needs and resources
• Actively support the Shelter Diversion philosophy being understood and integrated into the agency work with new clients and referrals
• Establish collaborative relationships with clients, building on their strengths and resources to find housing solutions
• Work with colleagues and local systems to safely resolve high-risk crisis situations and provide nonjudgmental support for problematic behaviour
• Communicate regularly with clients and collaterals over the phone and videoconferencing
• Advocate for client needs by developing and implementing service plans and working with local providers and systems
• Demonstrate understanding of oppression and marginalization of the homelessness community
• Make positive contributions to agency teams, actively participating as part of the Shelter Team, supporting other programs and initiatives
• Provide case management and life skills training for a set of clients, including housing goals, independent living skills, and the like

CASE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Using HIFIS/case management software consistently and in a professional manner
• Keep accurate hard copy files and case notes, including client interactions
• Have a keen awareness of internal and external resources and advocate for clients throughout various community partners that will benefit and assist clients with their case management plans.
• Provide housing and case management support for shelter clients
• Learn and uphold a housing-focused philosophy of self-resolution among clients.
• Support the maintenance of an up-to-date resource list (employment, mental health, addiction, etc.)
• Advocate on behalf of participants on a case-by-case basis with local systems i.e., Child and Family Services, Employment and Income Assistance, Legal Aid, Health, Addictions, Justice, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Social Work or a Social Service Worker Diploma, or equivalent.
• Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or be eligible for membership.
• Minimum two years of full-time related work experience
• Experience in an outreach position is considered an asset with knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and needs of youth
• Demonstrated skills, experience and passion working with at-risk, marginalized or street involved youth.
• Strong counselling skills, including good judgement in emergency and/or crisis situations.
• Demonstrated awareness of diversity and cultural sensitivity, including awareness and comfort level working with youth from the LGBTQ+ community
• Excellent interpersonal as well as written and verbal communication skills
• Strong belief in a harm reduction philosophy
• Computer literacy
• Proven good attendance record with the capability of maintaining this same standard.
• Ability to acquire Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance
• Driver’s licence (G-level) in good standing, access to reliable vehicle with $2,000,000 liability insurance.