Children's Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible to the Executive Director and supervised by the Willow Place Clinical Supervisor, the Children’s Specialist is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs designed to provide holistic, wraparound services for families who have experienced abuse/violence. The Children’s Specialist provides family therapy and counselling services including parenting support and related programming. The Children’s Specialist is responsible for the coordination of all aspects of services for children including the school program and summer day camp. This position is also responsible for Case Management which involves working in a team environment as well as advocacy and collaboration with community collaterals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Undergraduate Degree, preferably in mental health nursing, counselling, psychology or social work. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development and relevant, age-appropriate programming for children who have experienced family violence.
• Demonstrated knowledge implementation, planning, and evaluation of programming.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of social determinants of health and its impact on women and children experiencing family violence.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of working with individuals with complex needs including mental health issues and substance use is essential.
• Minimum one (1) year supervised clinical counseling experience with adults and children, including individual and group counselling.
• Cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity is required to work effectively with the diversity of Willow Place participants. Must be willing to work in a pro-choice, 2SLGBTTQIA+ positive environment.
• Must have the proven ability to de-escalate potentially volatile situations and work with vulnerable and marginalized individuals from a strength-based focus.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate current best practices in the field.
• Excellent inter-personal communication, written communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in a team environment and balance competing demands for time.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Current Emergency First Aid and CPR Certificate.
• Current Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate.
• Flexible to meet the needs of a 24-hour care facility.
• Satisfactory Child and Adult Abuse Registry and Criminal Record Check.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Therapeutic Service:
  • Completes a structured comprehensive intake, assesses and develops a need-based therapeutic plan for each family from a strength-based approach.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of therapeutic services provided by working in collaboration with the clients and refer them to appropriate resources and other professionals as and when required.
  • Ensures each individual (age-appropriate) child receives therapeutic counselling based on their needs and meets the requirements of the Standards Manual for Manitoba Shelters and the Service and Funding Agreement.
  • Provides therapeutic counselling and learning opportunities specific to the identification of feelings, assertiveness, problem solving, development of social skills, conflict resolution, and anger management.
  • Provides parenting support and interventions to support the family to develop positive coping mechanisms.
  • Empowers women to make informed choices by providing information, resources, and opportunities to understand family and gender-based violence and by supporting them in developing and implementing a participant-centered plan for her family.
  • Ensures each child has an up-to-date protection plan which identifies adults that the child trusts, can talk to, and with whom they find safety.
  • Facilitates therapeutic group counselling for residential and non-residential children and women.
• Case Management/Programming:
  • Ensures the participant(s) is included in their case plan. Each case plan should be strength-based with measurable goals and outcomes. Each case plan must include risk assessments and ongoing safety planning.
  • Responsible for reviewing the case plan and ensuring that timely updates and revisions are completed in collaboration with the participant and appropriate team members.
  • In conjunction with the Clinical Supervisor(s) and the Executive Director, ensures other program goals are current and measurable.
  • Responsible for reviewing and revising program components to ensure enhanced client service with consultation of Clinical Supervisor(s) and Executive Director.
  • Offers input into formal and informal evaluation of programs.
• Advocacy and Liaison with Community Collaterals:
  • Develop and maintain a professional working relationship and knowledge of community agencies and related services that would enhance participants’ stay while in shelter and for the continuity of aftercare.
  • Based on case planning and in conjunction with the clients, advocate for clients with other agencies that impact on the participants’ life.
  • In conjunction with the participants and their case plan, make referrals to community agencies in order to ensure continuity of care.
• Participant Relations:
  • Models healthy relationship behaviors in all interactions in the work environment.
  • Proactively creates a space of unconditional positive regard that allows participants a safe space to focus on their own mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
  • Competently, respectfully, and appropriately deals with aggressive or inappropriate behaviors without personalizing the behavior.
• Programming:
  • Orders, coordinates, and organizes all supplies, toys, and equipment related to the children’s services and parenting programs.
  • Develops and maintains the content, process, and materials for facilitating groups with a minimum of three groups per week (children, adolescents, and parenting support).
  • In conjunction with the Supervisor and the Director, ensures the program goals for each service area are current and measurable.
  • Participates in reviewing, revising, and developing program components to enhance services with the Supervisor and the Director.
  • Offers input into formal and informal evaluations of programs.
• Shelter Support:
  • Participates as a responsible team member by communicating and providing support and backup to the various teams as required. Participates fully and with flexibility in shift changeover, coordination meetings, and debriefings.
  • Participates in housekeeping and organizational tasks and assists with meal preparation and childcare as needed.
  • Ensures the cleanliness of the toys and play area on a continuous basis.
• Administrative:
  • Provides accurate professional file documentation and statistical entries for all participants, including group participation, on the WISH database.
  • Maintains and updates resource materials i.e. library, pamphlets, resource books, handouts, and internet resources as time permits.
  • Organizes workload and demonstrates effective time management.
  • Maintains appropriate email files and email management.
• Team Responsibilities/Staff Development:
  • Adheres to the values, guiding principles, policies, and procedures of Willow Place and supports the strategic direction of the organization.
  • Participates in staff meetings and offered training.
  • Acts as a responsible team member by demonstrating initiative, completing work duties, and by maintaining clear, direct, and respectful communication with all people in the work environment.
  • Provides support, direction, and recognition for volunteers, students, and work placements involved.
  • Proactively stays current with best and emerging practices in the field.
  • Provides backup coverage to Willow Place as required in response to the needs and priorities of a 24-hour continuing care facility which includes other duties as assigned.
• Organization Responsibilities:
  • Maintains agency confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
  • Engages in regular supervision with the Willow Place Supervisor.
  • Represents Willow Place in a professional manner.
  • Uses appropriate mechanisms for resolving internal agency problems.
  • Maintains ongoing positive public relations with outside agencies, groups, and individuals.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.78-$31.43 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Winnipeg, MB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person