Family Peer Support Worker

The Victoria Youth Clinic

Title: _Family Peer Support Worker_

Summary

The Victoria Youth Clinic Society, lead agency and operator for Foundry Victoria is seeking a part time (22.5 hrs/3 days a week) Family Peer Support Worker.

In accordance with a client and family centered model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values and strategic directions of the Victoria Youth Clinic Society and Foundry, this position promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for clients, families, visitors and staff. Foundry is removing barriers and increasing access to health and wellness services for young people ages 12 - 24 and their caregivers through integrated mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support and social services.

The Family Peer Support Worker is an integral member of the Foundry care team and uses their own living or lived experience of supporting a youth or young adult who has experienced mental health or substance use challenges. The Family Peer Support Worker assists in the delivery of Foundry centre operations and offers caregivers assistance with service navigation, education and resource information, while providing individualized and group peer-based practical, emotional and social supports. Delivering services in alignment with Foundry’s service model, the Family Peer Support Worker promotes holistic family health and well-being by fostering the development of respectful, collaborative relationships with family members, youth and service providers.

**Qualifications**:

- Direct experience as a caregiver supporting a youth or young adult with mental health or substance use challenges and service navigation in local community;
- Completion or eligible for completion of Foundry family peer support training;
- Previous peer support experience and training an asset.

Skills and Abilities
- Ability to deliver services with high degree of self-awareness, demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and work within personal and role-specific limits and boundaries;
- Capacity to use one's living or lived experience to promote positive connections with families at differing levels of engagement;
- Strong relationship
- and rapport-building skills;
- Assertive communication skills with ability to respect others’ perspectives;
- Empathic, caring approach, with strong active listening skills;
- Ability to understand and follow a strength-based approach for sharing challenges and co-creating solutions;
- Ability to facilitate meetings and comfort with public speaking;
- Broad knowledge of community resources and supports;
- Knowledge and respect of the diversity of the BC population;
- Demonstrated time management skills, accountability and reliability;
- Excellent planning, organizational and coordination skills with ability to multi-task;
- Strong written and verbal communication;
- Self-starter with a positive attitude and willingness to work flexible hours;
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team; and
- Basic computer skills; experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint.

Job Duties
- Provides a safe, welcoming and supportive culture for caregivers receiving services at the Foundry centre;
- Provides direct on-site and virtual services to caregivers by providing support, guidance and mentorship in the areas of information, navigation, education, resources and skill development, to support and engage families as expert partners in their co-developed wellness goals;
- Models hope and shares living or lived experiences and lessons learned to support caregivers in achieving individual and family health and wellness goals;
- Facilitates meaningful engagement and participation of families in focus groups, advisory committees, surveys, research, evaluation and other opportunities related to peer support to further build capacity and leadership;
- Works collaboratively as an advocate and liaison between caregiver, youth, centre staff and community partners;
- Collaborates with Youth Peer Support Workers at the centre to optimize the youth, young adult and family experience as it relates to the delivery of services;
- Facilitates peer support and educational groups to promote skill development and engagement, as well as foster peer-peer connection and networking opportunities;
- Works collaboratively with Foundry centre staff and community partners to optimize relationships between families and service providers;
- Supports the development of the Foundry peer support network on a provincial level including, but not limited to, research, evaluation and quality improvement activities and participation on select provincial working groups;
- Participates as a team member, attending team meetings, case conferences, conference calls and other organizational activities;
- Completes and maintains related records and documentation including statistics, progress reports, care plans