Social Worker, Adsum House

Adsum for Women & Children seeks to lead change to end homelessness through housing, services and advocacy. The organization provides emergency shelter and permanent housing and services and supports specifically for women, families and gender diverse persons who experience homelessness or housing insecurity.

Adsum is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination and values diversity. Job applicants who identify as Indigenous, African Nova Scotians, or Other Racially Visible Persons are encouraged to self-identify in their application..

Under the day-to-day supervision of the Shelter Director, the Social Worker will be responsible for providing supportive counseling and case management services to individuals staying at the emergency shelter, Adsum House, as well as former clients. The Social Worker will act as an advocate for Adsum House clients with outside service providers and within Adsum.

The Social Worker is skilled in various assessment and supportive counseling approaches and has an understanding of trauma informed service principles. The Social Worker models a non-punitive, collaborative and social justice-oriented approach to client care. They demonstrate and encourage creative problem solving and case planning in order to support clients with complex needs. They have a sophisticated understanding of harm reduction, client centered practice and anti-oppressive frameworks and readily implement these principles in daily work with clients. They must also have demonstrative knowledge of Nova Scotia Child & Family Services Act and ESIA programs and relevant service systems and resources.

The Social Worker has excellent crisis assessment and intervention skills and takes the lead in crisis situations along with the Shelter Director. Managing stressful situations effectively, flexibility and the ability to prioritize and work under pressure within a changing environment are essential skills for this role.

Typical duties:

Provides supportive counseling and case management services to clients.

· Identifies issues of concern to clients staying at Adsum House and to former clients

· Conducts social work assessments and assists clients in the development of both short- and long-term goals and the pursuit of those goals;

· Makes referrals on behalf of clients and advises on the development of referral protocols;

· Responsible for crisis assessment and intervention;

· Advocates with and on clients' behalf;

· Responsible for maintaining case records and case management within Adsum House;

· Identifies issues and works to ensure the protection of the rights of all clients;

· Collaborates, supports and, along with the Shelter Director, provides leadership to the client service team; and is

· Responsible for on-call duties.

Provides information, support and other services to clients requiring emergency and short-term shelter.

Provides information in person and on the phone to women, gender diverse persons and other community members seeking assistance in locating emergency, short-term and permanent housing;

· Ensures that all interactions with clients are carried out in a safe, dignified and unobtrusive manner;

· Maintains client confidentiality and privacy; and

· Assists clients in obtaining medical treatment and other essential services.

Develops, implements and evaluates both short- and long-term programs for residents.

· Recommends the implementation of programs on behalf of residents and other clients;

· Develops programs in response to identified needs of clients within Adsum House;

· Promotes and develops community partnerships;

· Serves as a representative of Adsum House on community committees; and

· Collaborates with community organizations to integrate a gender analysis into the development of project proposals.

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Prepares reports, correspondence and presentations.

· Assists the Shelter Director in the preparation of monthly and annual statistical reports;

· Maintains clients' records;

· Designs and delivers presentations on diverse issues related to homelessness for members of the general public, professional organizations, community agencies and government.

Supervises and supports the training of social work practicum students and social service students.

Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications required

· At minimum: Bachelor of Social Work. Registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work.

· At least two years' experience in the social service field

· Experience in case management and supportive counseling

· Comprehensive understanding of women's and gender issues

JUDGMENT and INITIATIVE REQUIRED

• Must have a critical and sophisticated understanding of power dynamics, systemic oppression, and recognize this when working with difficult situations and decisions;

· Must maintain client confidentiality;

· Must be able to manage personal self-care and wellness so they do not impede work duties and activities;

· Must be able to promote organizational Credo, philosophy of operation and policies;

· Must comply with all policies of Adsum which are not contrary to the Collective Agreement including, without limitation, policies relating to health and safety.

· Adheres to NS College of Social Workers' Standards of Practice and the Social Work Code of Ethics.

Type and Level of Supervision

The Social Worker is required to assume responsibility in the absence of the Shelter Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

· Demonstrated understanding of Housing First and Harm Reduction principles and approach.

· Demonstrated skill in implementing client centered values, anti-oppressive practice, trauma informed and social justice principles in client work.

· Experience working with clients who have complex needs

· Demonstrated knowledge of mental health issues, substance use and crisis intervention.

· Demonstrated skills in mediation and conflict resolution.

· Extensive knowledge of community resources and the social service delivery system, including ESIA, local/provincial housing and subsidy programs, and residential tenancy rights and regulations.

· Proficiency in Microsoft 365 software.

· Experience using SPDAT and HIFIS are an asset.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $33.62 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Application question(s):

• Qualifications required

• At minimum: Bachelor of Social Work. Registered or eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Work.

• At least two years' experience in the social service field
• Experience in case management and supportive counseling
• Comprehensive understanding of women's and gender issues

Work Location: In person