In-reach / Out-reach Court Support Worker

**Who We Are**

Founded in 1889, **YWCA Hamilton** is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

**YWork for us?**

At **YWCA Hamilton**, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centred, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

- On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
- Childcare discounts
- Opportunities to get involved in our community
- A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team

**Position Description**

**Job Code: 3-PPH-2024**

**Department**:Gender Based Violence and Justice Services**

**Reports to: Program Supervisor**

**Location: Hamilton, ON**

**Hours of Work: 37.5 hours/week**

**Start Date: TBD**

**Posting Date: October 4, 2024**

In this role, you will provide individual counselling and group facilitation to women who are at risk, have been, or is in conflict with the law and those who are currently incarcerated. Sound knowledge of the Canadian criminal justice system and the barriers that women face is imperative. The above will be provided through accompaniment of women in court (online and in person), legal advocacy and system navigation, release planning, safety planning, harm reduction strategies, referrals to community agencies, conduct case management and risk assessments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Works collaboratively with women and gender diverse individuals to support a diverse range of needs including legal support, systems navigation, housing, education, employment and mental health/ addictions to establish and maintain a plan to assist them with a safe and effective path to independence;
- Support with release planning, safety planning & risk assessment, harm reduction strategies, referrals to community agencies and case management
- Conducts intake meetings and assessments of clients to identify needs and establish service goals
- Applies the knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse to develop and implement effective support strategies;
- Supports the training of placement students and provides feedback to Program Supervisor for evaluation of placement students
- Works within general rules, procedures and standards, referring issues or problems to direct supervisor;
- Maintains professional recordkeeping standards in a system for reports and statistics on client interactions;
- Communicates, advocates and collaborates with corrections, probation and parole and community agencies (e.g. courts, legal services, housing) to provide resources and services to clients/residents;
- Offers clients crisis intervention, supportive counselling, referrals and advocacy;
- Provides crisis intervention and response as required;
- Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal client, employee and contract information;
- Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved;
- Implements appropriate program guidelines and procedures/templates for program to ensure consistency and excellence;
- Provides program reports to Supervisor as required;
- Attends industry related networking events and representing the YWCA on community committees;
- Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;
- Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures;
- Familiar with, and adheres to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (OHSA) Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights and Employment Standards Act (ESA);
- Participates in annual Health & Safety training provided by the YWCA;
- Attends and participates in staff/team meetings;
- Ensures compliance with YWCA Hamilton policies and procedures;
- Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;
- Performs other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

- Works 37.5 -hour work week; regularly on-call rotation for emergencies, crisis situations and resourcing issues;
- Work schedule includes days, afternoons, weekday and/or occasional weekends;
- Often works in high conflict situations requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff.
- Ability to use frequent medium to heavy physical effort: lifting up to 22.7 kg (50 lbs.), bending and stooping.

**Qualifications**
- Completion of 2 years’ col