Transitional & Housing Support Program Counsellor

by | Aug 6, 2024 | Careers

Internal/External  

Transitional & Housing Support Program Counsellor 

12-month contract  

 

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender-diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centered approach, we foster the skills and resilience of the people we serve and amplify their voices to create individual and collective change. 

 

The Clinic’s Counselling Department is seeking a full-time Transitional and Housing Support Program Counsellor for a 12-month contract.  

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  1. COUNSELLING 
    • Assess client needs and complete safety assessments and planning with clients 
    • Provide crisis counselling, de-escalation counselling and grounding interventions 
    • Offer trauma-informed support 
    • Develop plans and set goals with clients 
    • Facilitate/co-facilitate groups and housing information sessions 

2. CLIENT SUPPORT 

    • Facilitate support assistance with agencies such as Legal Aid, Access to Housing, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program 
    • Provide practical and emotional support and accompany women to court, other community agencies or to assess housing options 
    • Assist clients as they complete housing applications under the special priority program for survivors of domestic violence 
    • Match clients with desired locations, connect them with resources in the area and ensure safety and adjustment in the new community 
    • Provide information and support to clients as they navigate through social services and justice systems 
    • Work in partnership with landlords from the public and private sector to ensure clients maintain their residence 
    • Conduct case conferences with clients and involved agencies to support client needs 
    • Advocate on behalf of clients with lawyers during the court process 

 

3.  AGENCY AND TEAM SUPPORT 

    • Participate on agency committees and contribute to events which include participating in clinical meetings and staff meetings 
    • Communicate with team members to share critical information, provide debriefing opportunities and resolve problems 
    • Represent the Clinic and volunteers on a variety of committees or at events to promote the Clinic, share information and resolve problems 
    • Utilize an anti-oppressive approach with clients and colleagues  

4. ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL 

      • Advocate on behalf of clients to provide support and warm referrals 
      • Assess client needs and provide information and referrals 
      • Conduct research to identify services for referral and makes referrals 
      • Conduct telephone intake, which includes assessing client needs and safety 
      • Consult with Counsellors and Legal Department regarding available services and client needs 
      • Follow up with clients to see how they are and receive feedback related to referrals 
      • Prioritize calls based on safety, date received and crisis situations 

    5. ADMINISTRATION & OTHER 

      • Enter information into system to document calls in the agency database 
      • Take intake notes, and enter requests and referrals into client management system EMHware 
      • Compose support letters for clients 
      • Comply with Clinic and funder policies and procedures 
      • Perform other tasks as assigned by management  

     

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

      • Graduate or post-graduate in relevant field with a minimum of two years’ experience delivering transitional and housing support from a trauma-informed approach to survivors of gender-based violence 
      • Experience with intake, risk assessment and safety planning; thorough knowledge of social service and social welfare systems 
      • Experience providing information and referrals specific to the needs of women fleeing violence 
      • An understanding of the issues and dynamics related to the provision of transitional and housing support services to women who have experienced interpersonal violence consistent with a trauma-informed feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppression analysis 
      • Experience working with human trafficking survivors 
      • Strong advocacy skills are a must-have for this position 
      • Experience working in a diverse work setting and with a diverse client population 
      • Intermediate computer skills 
      • Excellent administrative and letter writing skills 
      • Be a self-starter and highly motivated 
      • Excellent communication and conflict management skills 
      • Fluency in a second language would be considered a tremendous asset 

     

    CORE COMPETENCIES  

      • Commitment to working collaboratively with and supporting women of diversity within the context of a diverse agency 
      • Engagement in a self-reflective, ethical, and collaborative practice that is non-judgmental and empathic and reflects the vision and mission statements of the Clinic 
      • Incorporation of principles of diversity and equity in responding to the service needs of women 
      • Commitment to working toward removing systemic barriers to women’s independence and wellbeing 
      • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time-management and problem-solving skills; written and oral communication skills 
      • Ability to work and support others in the context of a diverse environment  
      • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment 
      • Be a self-starter, creative and highly motivated 
      • Share ideas and differences in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation 
      • Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development  

     

    Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes candidates from equity-seeking groups and is committed to providing accommodation for people with disabilities. Please let us know if you require accommodation due to a disability during any aspect of the recruitment process, and we will work with you to address your needs. 

     

    SALARY:   $48,384 per annum.  The position includes a comprehensive benefits package offered through a group plan as part of our United Way membership, upon satisfactory completion of probationary period. 

     

    DEADLINE:    September 5, 2024.  Job posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is engaged               

    DURATION:    12 months  

    APPLICATION:   Send cover letter and resume as ONE attachment, PDF or Word, to [email protected]  

     

    We thank all candidates for their interest.  However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.  NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE