Family Court Support Counsellor

Family Court Support Counsellor – Contract Employer:

Family Transition Place

Job Type:

Temporary (Full Time)

Closes:

October 17, 2026

FAMILY COURT SUPPORT COUNSELLOR Contract until March 2028 40 hours per week The Family Court Support Counsellor will provide supports to victims/survivors of domestic violence involved in the family court process

Responsibilities will include:

Providing information, legal support and referrals to clients who access the Family Court Support program by:

Assessing client's legal and non-legal needs for appropriate response and/or effective referral to legal and community-based service

Providing up-to-date information about the family court process and court-based services

Liaise on clients’ behalf with justice system professionals within the family court and within the legal community at large

Assisting the victim/survivor to record the history of abuse to prepare for family court proceedings

Provide the victim/survivor with individually tailored safety plans, including safety planning related to court attendance, transition plans, goal setting, problem-solving and conflict resolution support, and referrals for risk assessments where appropriate

Assist the victim/survivor with the legal aid process

Support the victim/survivor to follow through on requests received from lawyers

Debrief with victims/survivors following family court appearances, lawyer appointments, Family Law Information Centre meetings, and consultations with duty counsel

Communicate with criminal court-based services, such as the V/WAP, where appropriate, and in accordance with the appropriate protocol

Communicate with other family court-based services and referral sources to ensure seamless delivery of appropriate information and support

At the victim’s/survivor’s request, accompany the victim/survivor to a family court proceeding, where appropriate, and resources permit

Facilitate the provision of Language Interpreters for the delivery of Family Court Support services or other court-based legal services as needed

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with court staff, lawyers, police and victim/witness programs for advocacy purposes

Engage in outreach activities with the broader community to raise awareness and connect clients with appropriate resources

Provide brief emotional and trauma informed support to clients

Participate in internal and external committees and collaborate with community groups to respond to clients’ needs

Plan, develop and facilitate educational groups

Participating with the Transitional Support team in the planning and organization of services by:

Developing and maintaining current resources on legal information

Acting as a resource to staff regarding legal issues

Completing client information records, reporting and statistical information according to agency requirements

Assessing the effectiveness of services based on client feedback and evaluation

Conducting relevant evaluation and research and recommending and implementing changes as appropriate

Actively participating in team meetings

Working on community advocacy projects by:

Maintaining a current understanding of how patriarchy and oppression perpetuate violence against women

Participating in agency and sector based social justice awareness initiatives

Building partnerships in the community aimed at ending violence against women by developing protocols, policies and procedures that promote equality, consistent responses and accountability

Providing occasional presentations to clients, professional and community groups

Providing support, options and referrals to community, legal and social service resources

Committing to the agency’s core values of: Compassion, Integrity, Equity and Social Responsibility

Adhering to FTP policies and procedures and compliance with required legislative and regulatory requirements such as OHSA, AODA, etc.

Performing other duties or responsibilities as negotiated or assigned

Qualifications and Core Competencies:

Post-Secondary Education in the Social Service field or equivalent experience and specialized training

Knowledge of gender-based violence, violence against women and children’s issues

Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act, Family Law, Legal Aid and the Family Responsibility Office

Understanding of criminal processes as they interact with the family court system

Ability to solve problems in innovative and creative ways

Good written and oral communication skills

Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and independently

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