Family Support Worker

**Title**: Family Support Worker

**Position Status**: Full-Time

**Salary**: $43,800 - $59,200K per year

Program: Anchor Youth Space

**Location**: Community Y

**Reports to**: General Manager, Youth Leadership and Development

**There is potential inside all of us - we all have it in us to shine.**

Every charity exists to help solve a problem - our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.

**With us at their side, they can Shine On.**

As part of your total compensation:

- Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
- Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home
- Discounts on YMCA childcare and camp programs
- Three (3) weeks’ Vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
- Comprehensive benefits package and pension
- Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services

**About the Role**:
Reporting to the GM and working under the clinical direction of the site Mental Health & Addiction Clinician, the Family Support Worker provides a relational, empowering, trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach to practice and supports and guides families/caregivers as they navigate their youth’s wellness journey. The Family Support Worker works collaboratively with caregivers, youth, members of the Anchor Youth Space team, and others, to meet established goals and objectives and support changes to care plans as needed.

**In this role, you will**:

- Embrace a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, the social determinants of health, and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).
- Meet with caregivers to assess their needs and options, and to provide information, education, and ongoing support and problem-solving as needed.
- Facilitate referrals to services both internal and external to IYS. Support caregivers and youth to create and maintain connections to relevant services/care providers. Monitor & support their progress.
- Assist caregivers to support young people on their wellness journey and in the successful transition to adult services.
- Assist with case management and crisis intervention.
- Collaborate with IYS colleagues and others to coordinate and integrate service delivery at all levels.
- Lead the development and implementation of caregiver and youth peer support initiatives for the IYS site.
- Plan and facilitate group programming and activities for families/caregivers, including peer support, capacity-building, and other relevant programs.
- In collaboration with the provincial Youth and Caregiver Engagement Coordinator, organize and support the site-based Caregiver Advisory Committee.
- Actively nurture and support formal and informal opportunities for caregiver engagement, peer support, and leadership.
- On an ongoing basis, work with site management and coworkers, IYS coalition member organizations, Youth and Caregiver Advisory Committees, Collaborating Service Providers, and the IYS-NS Provincial Leadership Team, to ensure that the Pan-Canadian Principles of IYS guide all aspects of site operations.
- Take part in relevant committees, working groups, and IYS-NS Communities of Practice.
- Take part in IYS planning, development, team-building, research, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives (locally, provincially and occasionally nationally).
- Maintain timely and accurate electronic case documentation.
- Take part in regular performance appraisals and employer/IYS-NS training and professional development.
- Act professionally and ethically, following all organizational and IYS-NS policies procedures, applicable legislation and regulations, and professional standards and code(s) of ethics.
- Assist with the reception, welcome, and drop-in functions of the IYS site.

**Education and Skills Qualifications**:

- Successful completion of an undergraduate degree in social sciences; Family Studies or similar discipline preferred.
- Specialization in mental health and addiction issues preferred.
- Two (2) years of relevant experience require