P.e.a.c.e Counsellor

Position Title: P.E.A.C.E Counsellor
Program: Counselling
Reports to: Manager of Counselling
This position requires UNION MEMBERSHIP

Internal / External Job Posting

Job Overview:
Provides psycho‐educational programming, education and advocacy support to children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have witnessed abuse, domestic violence or family conflict and change. Provides emotional and parenting support to parents regarding the impact of their children witnessing violence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Design, implement, evaluate and adapt psycho educational support groups and other programming for children who have witnessed abuse, and their parents, in consultation with manager.
- Receive referrals of children to the program for individual counselling and/or support group participation.
- Conduct an intake process that includes assessment of the impacts of abuse on the child, the group readiness of the child, the support needs of the parent who has experienced abuse, and as far as possible the level of safety/risk to the child.
- Conduct individual counselling sessions for children who are not ready to attend group and when no age appropriate support groups are available.
- Provide children with support and information, and assist them to identify, express and deal with the feelings they have experienced as a result of the abuse.
- Make referrals to other agencies and services when appropriate. Maintain related case notes, documents, forms and statistics, and provide reports to funders and supervisor as required.
- Ensure play and meeting areas are maintained in a clean, organized condition.
- Arrange individual and/or group activities for children appropriate to their age and abilities, to encourage and foster development of self‐confidence and self‐esteem. This may include crafts, arts, special events and summer, or other seasonal activities or events.
- Prepare and distribute information and/or presentations on the services available to children through the PEACE program, and on the issues of abuse.
- Maintain familiarity with legislation, regulations, policies and best practices related to abuse and child protection (Family Law Act 2013).
- Attend, and participate in, staff, and other, meetings as required.
- Liaise with other service agencies, and professionals, to promote the program, and maintain current knowledge of issues and resources related to abuse and violence.
- Orient, and assign duties to volunteers and students as needed.
- Provide age appropriate groups for children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have witnessed abuse in the home and are no longer living in that situation.
- Provide individual support/counselling for children who are not ready for group counselling and/or children who wish service, but no age appropriate group is available.
- To determine the impact on the child of the violence witnessed by the child, the group readiness of the child and the support needs of the mother/caregiver who experienced the abuse.
- To develop and implement support groups that:

- build on children’s positive feelings of self‐worth and self esteem
- support children to identify and express feelings
- support children in understanding healthy ways of dealing with/and expressing anger
- assist children in understanding they are not at fault for the violence
- encourage open communication
- teach children safety skills and strategies
- assist children to acknowledge loss and separation issues
- facilitate the understanding of the cycle of violence and myths about assault
- explore other violence issues i.e. Violence in the media
- To support mothers/caregivers during the period their children participate in the program by providing information about the child’s progress in group, assisting mothers/caregivers to understand her child’s behaviors and needs.
- Perform other related duties as required.

SARA promotes the principles of anti-oppression, diversity and inclusion. We strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals from First Nations, diverse ethnocultural origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply.

**Salary**: $36.10-$46.64 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
- Work from home

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

**Experience**:

- related: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person