Vaw Worker

**Hours: 35 hrs/wk.**

**Range: $53,602-$77,711**

**Location: 185 Carlton St., Toronto (Hybrid Model)**

**Classification: Regular Full-Time**

**Position: Unionized**

**Job Highlights**:
**100% employer paid health and dental benefits**

**4 weeks of paid vacation time**

**5 personal days 1 wellness day**

**15 paid sick leave days**

**OMERS Pension Plan**

**Summary**:
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto strives to provide a life of quality, well-being, caring and healing for our children and families in the Toronto Indigenous Community. We do this by creating a service model that is culture-based and respects the values of Native people, the extended family, and the right to self-determination and through the integration of holistic, culturally based prevention services that are child centred, family focused, and community driven.

**Primary Responsibilities**:
Under the direction of the Supervisor, Healing Team 1, the VAW Worker is responsible for:

- Advocating on behalf of Aboriginal women, and their children, in favor of helping them navigate and access Aboriginal and main-stream service systems, as victims of domestic violence, to ultimately ensure safety, security, and equal access to supportive services.
- Providing safety planning, supportive counseling and transitional support, as needed.
- Ensuing that community members have adequate information, referrals and access to safe and secure shelter residences, as well as assisting with transitional and long-term housing, workshops, panels and related training activities on family violence within the Aboriginal and main-stream service sectors.
- Coordinating and facilitating the ‘Here to Help’ group for mothers and their children ages 4 to 16 years of age and the Women’s Empowerment Circle.
- Developing and distributing written materials on the prevention of family violence aimed at the Aboriginal community and facilitating Family Support Groups for women and children who have experienced or witnessed violence.
- Facilitating Best Practice Guidelines and related protocols on the issue of family violence in the Aboriginal and main-stream service sectors.
- Maintaining the service manual, training packages, and accurate and up to date case files.
- Liaising with the Partner Assault Response (PAR) Program Coordinator.
- Initiating and maintaining PAR partner contacts (PPC).
- Work in a safe manner in accordance with the Society’s Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and all relevant legislation
- Must be available to work 1-2 evenings per week.

**Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills**:

- B.S.W. Degree or equivalent Degree and 1 to 2 years of relevant experience.
- Alternatively, an equivalent combination of education and experience working with Aboriginal peoples in a social services setting may be considered.
- A willingness to obtain and pass a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check.
- Knowledge of First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures.
- Knowledge of Family Violence and its impact.
- Knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
- Ability to provide supportive counseling and work collaboratively with Child Welfare according to CAS/VAW collaboration agreement.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and organizational skills.
- Professionalism, initiative and respect for confidentiality.
- Demonstrated understanding, and commitment to, integrating the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto Mission and values in to practice, service and relationships.
- Demonstrated understanding of workplace Health and Safety practices and understanding of an employee’s responsibility under current legislation.