Family Support Counsellor

Organization Overview

Our Place Peel is a growing, community-based, non-profit charitable organization that is focused on providing shelter and outreach support for homeless and disadvantaged youth aged 16-24 in the Region of Peel. We are a leading organization recognized in the community for our commitment to providing youth in need with a safe environment and access to services to help them achieve independence and foster growth.

Our Place Peel’s mission is to empower youth through prevention, intervention and support in accessing safe and sustainable housing. Their vision is for all youth to have a place to call home.

Job Description

The Family Support Counsellor provides individual and family support to youth experiencing family breakdown and who are at-risk of and/or experiencing homelessness. With a strong focus on diversion, the Family Support Counsellor will work with youth and their identified families and natural supports to explore the difficult issues affecting their relationships. Applying a solution-focused approach, the goal of our program is to help youth, their identified families and natural supports, re-establish, develop, and maintain positive healthy relationships. In an effort to prevent homelessness and family breakdown, the Family Support Counsellor will utilize diversion strategies to establish a plan to divert and/or keep youth out of the shelter system. This position will primarily work out of the shelters providing diversion supports to youth; exploring safe alternative living arrangements with identified family or natural supports.

What We Can Offer You:
• Paid Time off
• Casual Dress
• On-site parking
• Training and education allowance
• 100% employer paid benefits
• Wellness program
• Employee and Family Assistance program
• Opportunities for Growth!

Role Overview

Responsibilities:
• Meet with youth entering the shelters to explore safe alternative living arrangement.
• Mediate conversation between youth and their ‘families’ to help open up lines of communication
• Provide counselling to youth and their ‘families’ to prevent homelessness and breakdown through solution focused supports, and diversion
• Participate in client care reviews and team meetings to ensure effective delivery of support services and continuity of care
• Facilitate social and emotional skills groups for youth in shelters and community
• Collaborates with other agencies that work in the areas of youth homelessness and family support, by participating in meetings and community events
• Utilize assessment tools to provide accurate care planning, outcomes and client center goal development
• Supports youth and family with referrals to appropriate professional services
• Compiles statistical information and prepares monthly reports as required for program evaluation and development
• Maintain detailed and appropriate documentation for care planning and record keeping, progress notes, and care management plans
• Participates on committees with other agencies to enhance and ensure coordinated services
• Actively network within the community to promote the program and services by conducting presentations, attending information sessions and sitting on committees

Qualifications:
• BSW or equivalent degree (i.e.: BSc Psychology, BA CYC, BSc Family and Social Sciences) in an accredited program
• Member in good standing with appropriate regulatory body preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience supporting youth at risk
• 2 to 4 years’ direct counselling experience in evidence-based brief therapy modalities (Solution-focused, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of family systems theory
• Strong understanding of and experience with Diversion Strategies and Housing First for Youth
• Understanding of the barriers faced by youth both within their identified families.
• Supports and counsels through trauma informed care
• Works from an anti-oppressive framework and must be culturally competent
• Strong self-motivation and ability to work independently, as well as part of a counselling team
• Demonstrated and proven ability to engage youth facing complex barriers, as well those who may have been victimized
• Strong presentation and group facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal communication, advocacy, problem solving and negotiation skills
• Strong organizational, effective time management and planning skills
• Proficient with computers, MS Office products, database entry and compiling statistics
• Ability to work rotating shifts including some weekends and holidays
• A valid Ontario Driver’s License, access to a vehicle and $2,000,000 (minimum) liability car insurance coverage are mandatory
• Valid CPI/UMAB and First Aid/ CPR certifications
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check that meets the standards of Our Place Peel
• Must be flexible to work at Brampton and/or Mississauga location
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to applicable legislation