Transitional and Housing Support Program Counsellor

JOB POSTING

Transitional & Housing Support Program Counsellor

2 positions, 12-month contract

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender-diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centered approach, we foster the skills and resilience of the people we serve and amplify their voices to create individual and collective change.

The Clinic’s Counselling Department is seeking two full-time Transitional and Housing Support Program Counsellors for a 12-month contract.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

All duties and responsibilities will be conducted in accordance with Barbra Schlifer Clinic's Mandate, Mission and Values Statements.

**1. COUNSELLING**
- Assess client needs and complete safety assessments and planning with clients
- Provide crisis counselling, de-escalation counselling and grounding interventions
- Offer trauma-informed support
- Develop plans and set goals with clients
- Facilitate/co-facilitate groups and housing information sessions

**2. CLIENT SUPPORT**
- Facilitate support assistance with agencies such as Legal Aid, Access to Housing, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program
- Provide practical and emotional support and accompany women to court, other community agencies or to assess housing options
- Match clients with desired locations, connect them with resources in the area and ensure safety and adjustment in the new community
- Provide information and support to clients as they navigate through social services and justice systems
- Work in partnership with landlords from the public and private sector to ensure clients maintain their residence
- Conduct case conferences with clients and involved agencies to support client needs
- Advocate on behalf of clients with lawyers during the court process

**3. AGENCY AND TEAM SUPPORT**
- Participate on agency committees and contribute to events which include participating in clinical meetings and staff meetings
- Communicate with team members to share critical information, provide debriefing opportunities and resolve problems
- Represent the Clinic and volunteers on a variety of committees or at events to promote the Clinic, share information and resolve problems
- Utilize an anti-oppressive approach with clients and colleagues

**4. ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL**
- Advocate on behalf of clients to provide support and warm referrals
- Assess client needs and provide information and referrals
- Conduct research to identify services for referral and makes referrals
- Conduct telephone intake, which includes assessing client needs and safety
- Consult with Counsellors and Legal Department regarding available services and client needs
- Follow up with clients to see how they are and receive feedback related to referrals
- Prioritize calls based on safety, date received and crisis situations

**5. ADMINISTRATION & OTHER**
- Enter information into system to document calls in the agency database
- Take intake notes, and enter requests and referrals into client management system EMHware
- Compose support letters for clients
- Comply with Clinic and funder policies and procedures
- Perform other tasks as assigned by management

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS**
- Graduate or post-graduate in relevant field with a minimum of two years’ experience delivering transitional and housing support from a trauma-informed approach to survivors of gender-based violence
- Experience with intake, risk assessment and safety planning; thorough knowledge of social service and social welfare systems
- Experience providing information and referrals specific to the needs of women fleeing violence
- An understanding of the issues and dynamics related to the provision of transitional and housing support services to women who have experienced interpersonal violence consistent with a trauma-informed feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppression analysis
- Experience working with human trafficking survivors
- Strong advocacy skills are a must-have for this position
- Experience working in a diverse work setting and with a diverse client population
- Intermediate computer skills
- Excellent administrative and letter writing skills
- Be a self-starter and highly motivated
- Excellent communication and conflict management skills
- Fluency in a second language would be considered a tremendous asset

**CORE COMPETENCIES**
- Commitment to working collaboratively with and supporting women of diversity within the context of a diverse agency
- Engagement in a self-reflective, ethical, and collaborative practice that is non-judgmental and empathic and reflects the vision and mission statements of the Clinic
- Incorporation of principles of diversity and equity in responding to the service needs of women
- Commitment to working toward removing systemic barriers to