Family Support Worker

**Hours of Work**: Monday - Friday, 5 days/week; 8-hour shifts; days and evenings

**Who We Are**

The work of Good Shepherd is based on a fundamental belief in providing hope and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable members of our community. Our services include emergency food transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth; hospice palliative care; community mental health programs; and supportive housing programs. We are committed to integrating Harm Reduction practices into our programs and to prioritizing the rights, dignity, and choices of those who use substances. By integrating a Harm Reduction framework at Good Shepherd, we can decrease barriers to service and better support some of our community's most marginalized members.

This opportunity is with our Good Shepherd - **Family Centre - Hotel Overflow**

**How You Will Make an Impact**

The Family Support Worker will provide on-site staff supports for families residing in emergency shelter overflow spaces. Family Support Workers ensure that the Hotel Overflow program offers a safe and secure environment where families can focus on their housing needs with an emphasis on rapid rehousing.

As a Family Support Worker, you will provide multifaceted support to children and their families, encompassing supportive counseling, sharing vital information, and guiding skill development. This assistance extends to helping families navigate various community resources and government services, ensuring they have access to necessary support. You are instrumental in coordinating these services, tailoring their approach to each family's unique needs and requests.

Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with families to craft and execute a personalized Family Support Plan, playing a proactive role in the planning, development, and implementation of services that address specific goals and needs identified by families. You will act as a crucial link between families, community agencies, and other professionals, initiating or contributing to service planning discussions and advocating for families based on their expressed preferences and requirements, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met effectively.

**What You'll Bring to Our Team**
- Post-secondary education in social services or a related field is required
- Experience in a residential or emergency shelter preferred
- Preferred prior knowledgeable of and experience working with a range of issues impacting children including homelessness, violence against women and children, immigration, poverty, developmental needs, parenting, behavior management, mental illness and harm reduction
- Knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and Housing First Principles
- Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating individual and group programming
- Skill in effective crisis management and the ability to communicate effectively and establish relationships with clients and team members
- Demonstrated verbal presentation and written skills combined with the ability to work co-operatively negotiate effectively and facilitate teamwork with a variety of professionals
- Fluency in a 2nd language is an asset
- CPR certification or willingness to be certified is required
- Valid G license required
- Evidence of self-motivation, enthusiasm, and flexibility

**What We Offer**
- Be a part of a caring **TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY**:

- Support for continuing **EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT**:

- Staff recognition programs along with access to self-care supports and **EMPLOYEE / FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM** (EAP)
- **POSITIVE **and **ENCOURAGING **atmosphere
- Make a difference and provide **HOPE**:

- Extended Health Benefits
- Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve. _Good Shepherd is committed to integrating Harm Reduction practices into our programs and to prioritizing the rights, dignity, and choices of those who use substances_
- Good Shepherd has a mandatory verification of COVID-19 vaccination policy. More information on the full policy requirements and accommodation allowances will be provided to those selected for an interview._