Developmental Support Worker

Join Our Team at Premier Homecare Services London

**Position**: Developmental Support Worker/ Caregiver

**Location**: London, ON

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental and mental health challenges? Premier Homecare Services London is looking for dedicated and compassionate caregivers to join our team. If you have the skills and heart to support those in need, we want to hear from you

**Qualifications and Experience**:

- **Certification**:

- Completed training as a Personal Support Worker (PSW), Developmental Support Worker (DSW), Mental Health Professional (Social Worker, Social Service Worker, Counsellor/Therapist), or equivalent experience in a caregiving role.
- Experience/knowledge in supporting people with complex mental health challenges and mild learning disabilities.
- **Mental Health & Neurodiversity Expertise**:

- Experience supporting individuals with anxiety, self-harm, and emotional dysregulation.
- Experience with neurodiverse individuals or those with mild learning disabilities.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care practices.
- Familiarity with person-centered and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.
- **Behavioral Support Skills**:

- Understanding body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g., hitting as a coping mechanism).
- Ability to help clients develop and use safe coping strategies for managing triggers.
- **Crisis Intervention and Safety Planning**:

- Ability to de-escalate situations involving heightened emotional states or mental health crises.
- Knowledge of safety planning with individuals experiencing distress.
- **Developmental/Learning Disability Expertise**:

- Experience working with clients with developmental and learning disabilities.
- Sensitivity to issues of shame and self-esteem in individuals with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions.
- **Building Therapeutic Relationships**:

- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a trusting, therapeutic relationship to foster a sense of safety.

**Skills and Attributes**:

- **Empathy, Patience, and Trust Building**:

- A compassionate and empathetic approach to caregiving.
- Building a trusting therapeutic relationship and fostering a sense of safety with clients.
- **Accessible and Effective Communication**:

- Ability to communicate effectively and accessibly with individuals and their family/support network/care team.
- Skilled at active listening and validating emotions.
- **Emotional Regulation Support**:

- Knowledge of strategies to support emotional dysregulation, including grounding techniques and emotional validation.
- **Adaptability and Flexibility**:

- Ability to tailor approaches to individual clients' unique needs and adapt to changes in mood or behavior.
- Being open to feedback and coordinating planning with the client’s care team.

**Bonus Qualifications**:

- **Additional Training**:

- Certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) or equivalent de-escalation training.
- Training in mindfulness or related relaxation and grounding techniques.
- Knowledge of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) or similar frameworks.
- **Relevant Experience**:

- Experience supporting clients with high anxiety, complex PTSD, and shame-related concerns.
- Background in providing psychoeducation on safe coping mechanisms and emotional regulation.

**Why Join Us?**:

- **Make a Difference**: Play a vital role in improving the quality of life for individuals with unique needs.
- **Supportive Environment**: Work in a caring and supportive team that values your contribution.
- **Ongoing Training**: Access to training and professional development as needed.

If you're ready to make a meaningful impact and join a compassionate team, we'd love to hear from you Please send your resume and cover letter to us using indeed.

**Job Types**: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: $17.50-$30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8 - 25 per week

**Benefits**:

- Automobile allowance
- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Flexible language requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- 10 hour shift
- 12 hour shift
- 4 hour shift
- 8 hour shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday
- Morning shift
- Night shift
- No weekends

**Experience**:

- Crisis Management: 1 year (required)
- Working with people with autism: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

- NVCI (preferred)
- CPR Certification (preferred)

**Location**:

- London, ON (required)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2024-12-16