Child and Family Social Worker

About Sojourn House

Sojourn House provides Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing services to newly arrived refugees coming from all over of the world. We provide a safe place and an inclusive environment to people who have had the refugee experience. We are dedicated to providing the best possible settlement services and programs that help residents transition and integrate into the community.  With decades of experience and being one of the first refugee housing facilities in Toronto, we take pride in being a leading organization in refugee care.

In support of its commitment to a healthy, safe, workplace and community it is recommended all staff have up-to-date vaccinations for COVID-19 with a vaccine approved for use in Canada.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Transitional Housing and Skills for Life Programs at 101 Ontario Street, the Child and Family Social Worker is responsible for the provision of settlement programs and services to refugee children, families, singles and couples, delivered from an integrated anti-racism, access and equity framework. Ensures the successful transition and integration of refugee children, families, singles and couples in the Transitional Housing program. This full-time position works weekdays from Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 6 PM.

The position ensures highly effective and efficient interventions and case management of the issues of resident refugee claimant children and their parent/s and couples in compliance with all legislative requirements, including but not limited to the Refugee Protection and Child and Family Services Act. 

The Child and Family Social Worker ensures coordinated case management with the various programs in Sojourn House's internal and external community.

What you'll do

1. Plan the Program

• Develop a work plan to meet the goals of the program including but not limited to providing individual and group counselling from a trauma informed care context.
• Contribute to program planning by identifying gaps in services and communicating the same to the Manager of Skills for Life and Transitional Housing Programs for developing new program initiatives.
• Provide insights and input for program evaluation.
• Participate in direct service networks and coalitions to promote and advance the organization, its program and services and the issues of refugee children, and their families.

• Participate in partnerships related to all Transitional Housing Programs.

  
  2. Implement the Program

• Comply with all agency policies including programs and services
• Complete interviews, intake and assessment of clients under caseload as assigned by the Manager of Skills for Life and Transitional Housing Program
• Develop and implement case plans, including exit surveys
• Provide individual and family counselling related to settlement issues that are age specific and by appointment. Conduct counselling sessions by setting regularly scheduled appointments to review their progress re case management goals
• Provide information and referrals to community supports and services, including but not limited to schools, childcare centres, including registration and conflict resolution
• Liaise and advocate for refugee children and their parent/s provide support and accompaniment as required
• Plan and implement group programs for children, youth, singles and families including but not limited to Life Skills, educational and social recreational programming
• Incorporate and mentor student placements and volunteers
• Design and facilitate an after-school Drop-In Program for school age children
• Design and implement programs for parents/adults facing difficulties in a changed racial/cultural context
• Outreach – Visit schools to ensure the successful integration of children; Attend parent-child school and/or hospitals meetings as may be required to support the family; Escort transitional housing clients as may be required for appointments within community
• Housing – Make referrals to Sojourn House Housing staff team to proceed with housing at least six months prior to the scheduled move-out date; In coordination with the Transitional Housing Program team, assist client with a supportive move into the community; Complete move-out protocol with clients on caseload

3. Administer the Program 

• Maintain client files and complete all case management related forms
• Ensure documentation in case files meets the rigors of legal standards and case file notes are fully updated and current
• Maintain client files ensuring confidentiality/anonymity in compliance with organizational policy
• Maintain accurate records for program expenses in accordance with organizational financial policies in particular petty cash, program expenses, tokens etc.
• Maintain up-to-date resources for refugees and refugee claimants such as TTC maps, lawyer lists, Physicians, Community legal clinics, etc.
• Maintain service statistics
• Report writing as required

4. Program Control and Risk Management

• Complete case file notes and keep them current and up to date
• Complete reports in a timely manner
• Communicate any risks in program activities to the Manager of Skills for Life and Transitional Housing Programs
• Write incident and serious occurrence, and issue verbal warnings as an educational and deterrent to non-compliance with Term and Conditions of Transitional Housing contract and in consultation with management in compliance with agency policies and procedures
• Communicate complaints to the Manager of Skills for Life and Transitional Housing Programs for investigation – the Executive Director shall investigate complaints involving the Human Rights Code

5. Community Relations/Advocacy/Education and Outreach 

• Maintain positive working relationships and collaborative partnerships with community groups and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization related to the Transitional Housing Program
• Liaise with schools, hospitals/clinics, childcare facilities, court system and other community resources as needed
• Represent the organization at community activities, networks and coalitions related to refugee settlement issues to enhance the organization profile

6.Social Justice and Anti-Racism, Access and Equity 

• Keep abreast with social justice issues especially as they affect youth, families, refugees and refugee claimants and ensure the advancement of their issues from an anti-racism, access and equity framework both in the internal and external community of the organization

7. General

• Comply with all agency policies and procedures
• Work co-operatively with the shelter and transitional housing staff and other programs
• Attend regular team meetings, staff training sessions and planning meetings
• Attend meetings with funders as required
• Comply with all agency policies
• Ensure compliance with Code of Conduct and ethics at all times, including when representing the agency with external stakeholders
• Assists with other duties as required

What You’ll Need

• Minimum Bachelor of Social Work
• Three or more years of practical, progressive experience as a Social Worker in a diverse client environment in Child and Family service programs
•  Proof of current Social Work registration in the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
• Proof of relevant certificate training from a recognized institution in the area of trauma counselling, addictions, and mental health related to refugees
• Relevant training in trauma-informed, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and de-escalation required.
• Working knowledge of Child and Family Services Act, IRPA, Mental Health Act, TPA, Ontario Works and related procedures and other relevant legislation
• Knowledge of client groups – refugee children, youth and separated youth and refugee families requiring high maintenance and supports
• Knowledge of stages of child development and Issues of Separated Youth
• Applied knowledge of Individual, group and crisis counselling skills, including couple and family counselling
• Knowledge of refugee and settlement issues
• Knowledge of social work practices and ethics

Working Conditions

• Usually work in an office environment, but the mission of the organization and position responsibilities may sometimes take the Child and Family Social Worker to non-standard off-site workplaces, as programs may require
• Work a standard work week of 37.5 hours and must be able to work independently on evenings and weekends to accommodate program and client needs, or represent the organization at public events and at agency events

Other

Rate:      $31.34/hour (2025 rate)

Hours:  37.5 hours/week Tuesday to Saturday

Hours:   11:00AM – 6PM

This posting expires on July 22nd 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
 

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit a cover letter with resume.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, a request for accommodation will be accepted throughout the hiring process.  Interview candidates are required to provide their accommodation needs at least three business days before the assessment date.  Sojourn House is committed to employment equity and encourages applicants from all equity seeking groups.