Social Worker

ABOUT US

Kennedy House (KH) is a not-for-profit organization with a long-standing dedication to providing exceptional personalized care for youth in the Greater Toronto Area for over 50 years. KH started with an initial family-like group home in 1971 and currently operates several residential and community-based programs, for marginalized and at-risk youth, including:

• One residential program for adolescents in care;
• Three residential programs for youth and young adults living with developmental disabilities;
• A Day Treatment school program for youth struggling in the typical school setting;
• Kennedy House Youth Centre, a secure custody facility for male youth experiencing conflict with the law;
• Bailiff services to safely and securely transport youth experiencing conflict with the law;
• Kennedy House After School Program for children aged 4-13 in underserved communities throughout Scarborough; and
• Kennedy House Youth Shelter, for youth aged 16-24 experiencing homelessness.

KH works with youth to enable them to grow as individuals and contribute as members of the community. This is achieved by providing customized support and building trusting relationships.

To learn more about our organization and the causes we support, we strongly encourage you to visit our website.

POSITION SUMMARY

Kennedy House is looking for a dynamic, consultative, and results-driven Social Work professional to join our team in the role of Social Worker.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, the incumbent will provide counselling and clinical support to youth and their families involved with the Secure Custody and Detention program. The Social Worker will provide consultation and direction to the team in risk assessment, individualized goal planning, programming, intervention and behaviour management of the youth involved in the Programs. The Social Worker will work closely with the Case Management Team to develop individual case management plans and reintegration planning.

This is a full-time on-site position located at our Youth Centre in Ajax, Ontario. The Social Worker will work an average of 35 hours per week and will require being flexible to best meet the needs of the Program staff and clients.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides individual counselling and support as needed
• Consults and provides direction in the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practices
• Facilitates individual and group programming for clients
• Models a holistic, client-centred, strength-based approach to intervention utilizing best/promising practices
• Educates staff by providing clinical input into behaviour management and trauma-sensitive strategies for youth presenting with a broad spectrum of needs
• Provides input into the development of case management plans for youth, including goal setting, life plans and reintegration planning
• Provides support with crises and assists with critical incident defusing/debriefing
• Provides on-call support in a rotation
• Works collaboratively with community youth justice partners acting as liaise/advocate for youth
• Consults with Clinical Manager and Superintendent regarding program development and staff training needs
• Provides supervision to Social Work Student Placements
• Complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, applicable legislation, and workplace-specific health and safety policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as required

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent is required
• Must have and maintain certification with the Ontario College of Social Workers

QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience specifically related to working with youth. This may include placement experience.
• An understanding of the Youth Justice System and relevant legislation (YCJA) and the Youth Justice System of services in the Durham Region, as well as Peterborough and the surrounding 4 Counties, is considered an asset
• Well-developed knowledge of "best practices" with youth in conflict with the law and experience with risk assessment, case management plans, evidence-based programming and understanding of the criminogenic factors that are the underlying issues related to youth involvement in anti-social and criminal behaviour.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders, as required
• Expertise in mental health and substance abuse areas
• · Current certification in CPR and First Aid is mandatory within 30 days of hire
• Current certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (CPI) is recommended
• Valid Class G Driver's License and clean Driver's Abstract is required
• Current (within 6 months) Police Check and Vulnerable Sector Search must be provided
• Experience in a not-for-profit government agency is considered an asset
• Broad awareness of other cultures, values, identities and perspectives with a demonstrated ability and interest in working with and for diverse populations
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to plan, prioritize and coordinate multiple projects
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate a variety of data
• Excellent assessment, interviewing, and counselling skills
• Maintain all required immunizations and vaccines

WHY KENNEDY HOUSE?

Kennedy House provides its employees with a combination of challenging yet exciting career opportunities, both short and long-term. Being a Kennedy House employee means that you can apply your knowledge, broaden your skills and make a valuable contribution to the organization, our clients' lives and wellbeing, and the community you live in. Here at Kennedy House, we help the youth of today achieve their dreams of tomorrow.

Additionally, Kennedy House provides the following benefits:

• Competitive compensation package
• Group healthcare benefits (extended health, dental, and vision care)
• Life insurance
• Paid vacation
• Company matched retirement savings plan (RRSP)
• Opportunities to grow within the organization, including relocation within other the Kennedy House programs
• On-site parking
• Company events
• Casual dress code
• Employee assistance program (coming soon)

HOW TO APPLY?

For consideration, qualified applicants are encouraged to submit an application by using the Apply now button. It is strongly recommended that applicants submit documents in pdf format.

Kennedy House thanks in advance all applicants who submit an application for their interest and time spent preparing their application; however, due to the high volume of candidates received, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

Kennedy House is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. At Kennedy House, we are committed to a supportive work environment where employees have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Diversity and inclusion are a central part of our culture, and we aspire to be a workplace that is respectful to everyone. We appreciate the interest of all candidates. Due to the volumes of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates that are selected to move forward in the recruitment process. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise the Human Resources Representative of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

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

Work Location: In person