Child and Family Counsellor

Purpose

Provide individual support and group programs to children and their mothers who have experienced gender-based violence.

Job Summary:
Collaborate with both internal and external child care staff in the delivery of a Children’s Program at Anova. Identify gaps and develop plans to meet the needs of children ages 0 to 16 living in shelter. Develop in-house anti-violence programs for troubled children including behaviour modification strategies, using the Shelter groups & Children’s Community Group Program models. Facilitate a group program to include age appropriate groups for school-aged children and teens.

Job Qualifications:

- Post-secondary diploma from an accredited academic institution in a related field such as Child & Youth Worker
- Minimum three years of counselling experience
- Certification/professional development in Trauma and Violence Informed Practice
- Proven client-centered approach that addresses the holistic needs of all
- Demonstrated experience working and advocating for those that have experienced gender-based violence

Competencies:

- Client Focus
- Safety Focus
- Self-Management
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Negotiation
- Teamwork
- Resourceful
- Results Oriented

Job Responsibilities Including But Not Limited To:
Responsibility: Advocacy
- Mobilize community services to support children
- Advocate for the protection and wellbeing of child witnesses of gender-based violence
- Provide liaison between the shelter and schools and other community service providers

Responsibility: Communication and Coordination
- Complete a multi-disciplinary Family Plan of Action for all children in shelter
- Engage mothers in the Plan of Action for their families
- Provide individual, group and community-based services
- Ensure communication between service providers in a wraparound process following shelter stays
- Attend and represent children at case conferences
- Collaborate continuously with Anova’s Residential Counsellors, Child Care Workers and involved agencies to achieve Plan of Action goals
- May include early mornings or evenings as required.

Responsibility: Train and Educate
- Assist women to identify with parenting issues and concerns
- Address demographic needs of families in shelter
- Foster positive interactions between mother and child
- Participate in cross training or professional development opportunities with other agencies
- Participate in the Community Group Program as time permits

Responsibility: Occasional

**Responsibilities**:

- Train/Assist childcare staff and volunteers
- Prepare monthly progress reports
- Update database
- Participate in residential team meetings and supervision
- Offer consultation to families residing at SSH or engaged with the Community Outreach team as time permits
- Attend staff, community and in-house meetings
- Review and update the Shelter/Community Group program model to meet the changing needs of children in shelter and community
- Model Respect at Work Principles
- Employees of Anova are expected to find a healthy balance between their work and personal life. They are expected to practice self-care on a regular basis in such a way that supports their physical, emotional, and mental well being
- Participate on agency committees
- Other duties as assigned

**Job Types**: Full-time, Temporary, Contract
Contract length: 8 months

Pay: $26.96 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Employee assistance program

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

- Is your diploma from an accredited academic institution in a related field such as Child & Youth Worker

**Education**:

- AEC / DEP or Skilled Trade Certificate (preferred)

**Experience**:

- counselling: 3 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- First Aid Certification (preferred)
- Trauma and Violence Informed Practice (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-11-19