Internal Job Posting
Child & Youth Advocate Counsellor
Contract position – North Location
Our Mission is to provide shelter, support, counselling and advocacy to help abused women and their children to break the cycle of violence. We are a women centred, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, non-profit organization serving the diverse population of the Region of Peel. Interim Place operates two emergency shelters for women and children who are leaving abuse. We also operate a Community Support and Outreach Program (THSP) for women in the community who have experienced violence. Interim Place is a community based feminist women’s organization committed to social justice and anti-oppression.
We require a Child & Youth Advocate Counsellor for a 5 month full-time contract position at the South location. The Child & Youth Advocate Counsellor will help support women and their children who have experienced and/or are experiencing violence and provide support, programs and service to both children and mothers who are residents of the shelter.
Responsibilities include:
Counselling; Information & Referral
· Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals and/or information regarding child related matters
· Develop attainable and measurable individual plans for children (while residing at the shelter and preparing for discharge), monitor successful achievement of plans and complete necessary documentation
· Participate in Case Management meetings
· Work in collaboration with other service providers supporting women and children in shelter and in the community as needed
· Work with shelter team to research, develop and implement support and educational groups for children and youth and their mothers in the shelter
· Provide support and education to children and their mothers through individual counselling and meetings
Social Justice Advocacy, Community Education and Outreach
· Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of systems, including legal and immigration,and related legislation i.e. Social Housing Reform Act; Mental Health Act; Landlord Tenant Act; O.W. Act, ODSP Act, etc.
· Maintain knowledge and understanding of the systemic barriers experienced by women and the intersectionalities of oppressions
· Participate in local, regional and national committees and activities of relevance to the issue of Violence against Women (VAW) as requested or required
· Conduct public speaking engagements to promote public awareness and foster understanding of the organization, its mission and vision, as well as issues surrounding violence against women and the impact on children
· Liaise with schools, daycares, children’s services and other community supports
· Promote and maintain cross- sectoral relationships and liaise with the community
Administration
· Maintain appropriate and accurate file documentation and uphold the confidentiality of client’s file, subject to legal and policy parameters
· Maintain timely, accurate service statistics
Training and Development
· Attend all staff meetings and training sessions as assigned
· Maintain timely, accurate service statistics
· Participate in educational workshops and courses internally and externally as required to promote individual growth and development
Health & Safety
· Document and take action in response to all emergency situations within the shelter, including: security threats, first aid, medical, safety and maintenance issues
· Adhere to all health and safety policies and procedures as outlined by the organization
General
· Works co-operatively as a member of the organization and the Shelter team
· Attends regular team meetings, staff training sessions and planning meetings
· Supervises volunteers and students
· Assists with other duties as required, from time to time, aiding in the efficient operation of the organization
Qualifications
• Post- secondary diploma or degree directly related to the position and 2 years directly related work experience
• Experience in working with women, children and youth in areas such as poverty, violence, mental health, addictions and homelessness
• Strong clinical skills with women and children including assessment, counselling, outreach, information and referral and advocacy support
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s issues and working within a feminist/ anti-racist and anti-oppression framework
• Ability to work independently and as a team member to achieve outcomes and meet deadlines
• Ability to work shift work including days, afternoons, overnights and weekends
• Leadership, time management, organizational, problem solving and decision making skills.
• Ability to promote teamwork and strength in a staff group
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and conflict resolution skills and abilities
• Ability to understand and respect the confidentiality of Interim Place, partner agencies and women, children and youth
• All responsibilities will be performed in keeping with the philosophical framework set out in the Mission Statement, Values, and Objectives of Interim Place
• Current CPR and First Aid training is an asset
• Must be computer literate
• 2nd language an asset
• Driver’s License Required
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, regular evening and weekend shifts
Interim Place is committed to the development of an organization that reflects the community and women
it serves. Applications from Aboriginal Women, World Majority Women/Women of Colour, LGBTQ Women and Women with Disabilities are strongly encouraged
Please send a letter of application and current resume to Human Resources, Interim Place by November 15, 2102 via email at
Interim Place is a unionized workplace with OPSEU. This position is within the bargaining unit and as such the terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
Date of Posting: November 1, 2012
Deadline: November 15, 2012