Family Support Worker

Date posted: November 20, 2025

Pay: CA$24.44 per hour

Job description:

Family Support Worker - Thresholds Program

Job Summary: Reporting to the Thresholds Program Coordinator, the Family Support Worker is an integral member of Aunt Leah's Thresholds team, delivering trauma-informed, person-centered support to participants and their children. This role focuses on supporting mothers who are at risk of homelessness and/or losing custody of their children to the Ministry. Participants include individuals with a range of needs and experiences, including those navigating mental health challenges, substance use, and intimate partner violence, as well as those seeking additional support and stability in a transitional period of their lives.

The Family Support Worker provides pre-natal and post-natal support and assists mothers in building life skills, with the goal of preventing family separation and breaking the cycle that can lead children in foster care to homelessness. This work takes place within the Thresholds Program, a transitional housing initiative that supports parenting moms (ages 19+) in need of a safe, stable place to live. The program offers housing, wraparound supports, and opportunities for personal growth while promoting independence and long-term well-being. Operating across three stages of transitional housing (1st, 2nd, and 3rd stage), the program is grounded in a commitment to creating a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment where moms and their children can thrive.

Opportunities Available:

2 x Full-Time Regular Positions:

• Shift Schedule: 7.5 Hour Day Shifts; 37.5 hrs/week; Monday to Friday
• Thresholds House is a Supportive Housing program for mothers in need; Staff works alone.
• Location: New Westminster, BC
• Reports To: Thresholds Program Coordinator (Supervisor)
• Compensation: $24.44/ hr.

Qualifications: Required education and experience includes:

• Child and Youth Care Diploma, Social Services Diploma, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 1-2 years' experience in providing support to women and children; with an emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness, and/or social services; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience with general suitability.

Requirements:

• • Satisfactory Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable persons) and Local Police Information Check (including vulnerable persons)
• Undergo & Maintain a MCFD Contracted Agency Caregiver Clearance
• First Aid – Level C w/ CPR
• Food Safe Certificate
• Agrees to the Aunt Leah's Code of Ethics
• Follows Aunt Leah's Practice Guidelines

Assets :

• A valid Class 5 BC Driver's License, and access to a vehicle; with $5,000,000 in business liability insurance, and clean driver's abstract
• Rapid Response Overdose Training
• Mental Health First Aid
• Suicide Prevention Training
• Cultural Competency Training
• Substance Use & Addictions Awareness Training
• Trauma Informed Training

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSA):

• Communication (verbal and written)
• Ability to follow and implement program policies and procedures
• Interpersonal abilities and team work skills
• Time management & ability to prioritize tasks
• Cultural safety/competency
• Creative problem solving
• Crisis management, de-escalation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work independently
• Flexibility/Adaptability in managing multiple priorities
• Computer/Technical Literacy
• Planning/Organizing & Budgeting Skills
• Report Writing & Documentation
• Knowledge of Residential Tenancy Act
• Knowledge and application of Person-Centered Approach and Trauma Informed practices

• Knowledge and application of De-escalation skills and approaches

• Direct Care (One-to-one Support):

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with participants using a trauma-informed, person-centered approach.

• Support participants in the following key areas of personal and family development:
• Parenting Skills – Child development, attachment, healthy family dynamics.
• Employment Readiness – Job search, resume and interview preparation, completing job applications, and job maintenance support.
• Independent Living Skills – Meal planning, cooking, cleaning, shopping, hygiene, housing search, and maintaining housing security and safety.
• Financial Literacy – Budgeting, bill payments, accessing financial entitlements (e.g., Child Tax Benefit), opening bank accounts, and financial planning.
• Interpersonal Skills – Conflict resolution, developing healthy relationships, and building support networks.
• Health and Wellness – Accessing physical and mental health services, substance use supports, and education around sexual health and personal care.
• Recreational Engagement – Identifying and engaging in healthy leisure activities.
• Education and Career Development – Supporting access to training, education, or vocational opportunities.

• Cultural Connection – Encouraging connection to participants' cultural identities and practices.

• Direct Care – Program and Household Support:

• Promote a safe and respectful living environment by ensuring house rules and expectations are followed consistently.

• Support participants with meal preparation and communal cooking activities.
• Participate in regular cleaning and maintenance tasks, including suite turnovers and scheduled sanitization.
• De-escalate and respond to crisis situations in alignment with organizational policies and training.
• Participate in outcome tracking (e.g., changes in housing, education, employment, or parenting status).

• Support and supervise scheduled baby visits as directed by the Program Coordinator.

• Financial Responsibilities:

• Responsible for submitting receipts for Float Visa card purchases, and processing cheque requests in line with Aunt Leah's float card usage polices and procedures.

• Ensures that expenses follow budget guidelines.

• Health and Safety:

• Ensure the living environment is clean, safe, and secure at all times, adhering to Aunt Leah's Health and Safety policies & procedures.

• Conduct and document emergency drills with participants; ensure knowledge of emergency exit routes.

• Participate in the annual review of Aunt Leah's Health and Safety Policy.

• Financial Responsibilities:

• Responsible for submitting receipts for Float Visa card purchases, and processing cheque requests in line with Aunt Leah's polices and procedures.

• Ensures that expenses follow budget guidelines.

• Professional Development:

• Participate in ongoing professional development.

• Meet with Program Coordinator regularly to prioritize workload.

• Communication:

Internal:

• Complete and maintain timely documentation including daily log, monthly outcomes tracking, case notes in Outcomes Tracking and Information System (OTIS) database, and critical incident reports in accordance with Aunt Leah's documentation standards & procedures.
• Attend meetings, including team meetings, coaching meetings, and Staff Development meetings as scheduled.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with Aunt Leah's life skills, employment, education, and housing programs as needed.
• Communicate effectively with Threshold's programming team members to ensure seamless support for participants.
• Attend Aunt Leah's events as directed by Supervisor; this may include but is not limited to participant recreational overnight trips, day trips, and workshops, etc.

External:

• Liaise with community partners, professionals, family members and other stakeholders with the goal of connecting participants to relevant services and agencies.
• Refer participants to appropriate internal and external services to support their individualized goals.

• Ensure participant numbers and activities are maintained to a certain level to ensure continued funding.

• Confidentiality:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of participant information & location in accordance with Aunt Leah's policies and applicable legislation.

• Support Workers will follow Aunt Leah's Policies and Procedures and Aunt Leah's Code of Ethics (includes Child and Youth Care Association of BC Code of Ethics, Aunt Leah's Privacy Policy, BC Rights of Youth in care & UN Rights of the Child).

• On- Call

• Participate in on call as scheduled.

• Attend annual on-call training as required.

• While on call, is able to support and attend as required; including after-hours support when on-call, and in-person support.

• Physical Demands

• This position requires some lifting of heavier objects up to 50 lbs.

• This position may involve physical activity, including the safe lifting and carrying of children, as well as providing physical assistance in a supportive and secure manner.

Working Conditions:

• Hours of work are generally 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours a day); generally, 9:00 – 5:00 pm; with occasional evening and weekend hours as operationally needed
• This position may require working occasional evenings and weekends and travel to various locations within Metro Vancouver.
• This position is primarily based out of the Thresholds Programming residences, which are located across various sites in New Westminster, BC and Burnaby, BC.
• Participate in on call as scheduled.

Living Wage Employer:

As a certified living wage employer, we are committed to compensating our employees a living wage that allows working families to support the healthy development of their children and participate in the social, civic, and cultural lives of their communities. Embracing a living wage policy aligns with our Strategic Goals and provides our staff a great place to work.

We Offer:

A comprehensive benefits package that includes dental, extended health care including vision care and prescription, RRSP matching, generous vacation and personal time package.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter, quoting Family Support Worker in the subject line. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

We encourage qualified people of all gender expressions and identities, sexual orientations, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities to apply if you are interested in supporting our mission and mandate.