Crisis Intervention Counsellors - Relief Roster

Halton Women s Place•Burlington, ON

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Relief Crisis Intervention Counsellors provide immediate crisis counselling, emotional and practical support, and information to empower women at risk of harm from, or escaping, domestic violence. They fill shift vacancies to maintain 24/7/365 shelter staffing and ensure the smooth flow of shelter operations and client service. Relief Crisis Intervention Counsellors demonstrate agency values of hope, choice, collaboration, and excellence in everything they do.

Requirements

Bachelor of Social Work or Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent academic credential is required.
Professional and respectful communication and conflict resolution skills with clients and colleagues.
A consistently caring, patient, empathetic approach towards women, children, and colleagues that translates both in person and over telephone and email communication.
Demonstrated track record of effective advocacy and collaboration with community partners.
A solid understanding of trauma-informed care principles and how to implement them.
An understanding of the systemic oppression uniquely experienced by Black, Indigenous, and otherwise racialized women, immigrant and refugee women, and 2SLBTQ+ women, and consistently practice from a self-reflective, anti-oppressive framework.
Clear Police Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector, is required to secure and maintain employment.
A clear reading on a Step one and/or two TB test is required to secure and maintain employment.

Nice To Haves

A comprehensive combination of education in a related field, combined with significant relatable experience, may be considered.
Ability to communicate in a language other than English is an asset.
Relief Crisis Intervention Counsellors are encouraged to attend internal training and professional development opportunities that align with their professional goals.

Responsibilities

Provide a welcoming and caring first point-of-contact to in-shelter clients and to clients calling Halton Women’s Place’s crisis, information, and support telephone line and webchat service.
Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, emotional support, and practical assistance to women in shelter and over the crisis and support telephone line and webchat.
Conduct client intake interviews to determine eligibility for admission to a safe shelter site, conduct ongoing danger, risk, and needs assessments and provide referrals to other community services as new needs are identified.
Assess safety concerns on a regular and ongoing basis, develop and update individualized safety plans in collaboration with the client.
Stay apprised of changing statistics and trends with regards to risk factors uniquely facing survivors of sex trafficking.
Meet with clients as requested by the primary worker or Shelter Manager to ensure continuous case management.
Support clients to complete and submit application packages for subsidized and market rent housing, social assistance, government benefits, the Victim Quick Response Program Plus (VQRP+), and other programs as indicated by the client’s identified needs.
Work at all times from a feminist, trauma-informed, and anti – oppressive framework, demonstrating a belief at all times that a woman’s story is her truth and that an essential part of supporting her is believing her.
Operate from a non-judgmental, client-centered, harm reduction approach; incorporate harm reduction principles into client safety plan and offer support and intervention based on the client’s goals for herself.
Utilize interpretation and translation services as needed to ensure client-centered, accessible provision of service.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, contemporaneously documenting all client contacts (including group programming) in our Client Information System while adhering to agency protocols related to client privacy and confidentiality.
Ensure the protection and security of clients’ personal and sensitive information by following all agency protocols related to the maintenance, storage, and transportation of client files, and immediately report any breaches in protocol that may have compromised the client’s privacy and confidentiality.
Complete and keep updated all required safe shelter documents including shift checklists, client welcome handbooks, forms, and documents needed to collect research and/or program evaluation data on behalf of the agency, and any other form or document that is managed and updated by Full-Time, Part-Time, or Relief Crisis Intervention Counsellors.
Assist with meal preparation and service, supporting nutritional needs as needed, especially in the absence of the site’s Food & Nutrition Worker.
Maintain the safety and security of the safe shelter site at all times by maintaining minimum staffing and following all agency protocols including protocols related to door security/building entry, building security system, unknown vehicles on property, house checks, and emergency evacuations.
Help maintain general tidiness in all staff and common areas of the shelter, including the CIC office, staff break room, children’s playroom, youth and women’s wellness lounges, group programming spaces, living room, kitchen, dining room, and common bathrooms, especially in the absence of the site’s House Maintenance Worker.
Conduct regular and ad hoc client room checks to identify or assess safety hazards or maintenance/repair needs and provide early intervention to prevent hoarding, insect/pest infestation, or unsanitary conditions for women and their children.
Update site’s physical and electronic “bulletin board” / client notice boards with relevant notices, internal and external programming, community events, statements of affirmation, and other information that may be of use to in-shelter clients.
Assist with the tidying and cleaning of client rooms after departure if the space is immediately needed for a new client or family, especially in the absence of the site’s House Maintenance Worker.
Identify and communicate facility maintenance needs to the Facilities & Operations Coordinator in coordination with the Safe Shelter Manager/On Call Supervisor; greet, guide, and support 3rd party contractors who come on-site, especially in the absence of the Facilities & Operations Coordinator and/or the House Maintenance Worker.
Warmly greet and thank donors who attend onsite to provide monetary or in-kind donations; follow procedures related to building entry and receiving, documenting, and sorting donations received, especially in the absence of Development staff and/or site receptionist.
Quickly identify and respond to situations of increased risk while adhering to all agency protocols and procedures.
Notify Manager, Safe Shelter Services (or On Call Supervisor if after hours) of safety concerns or situations of increased risk and provide timely updates as the safety or risk situation changes.
Contact Emergency Services as required to attend immediately to urgent or crisis situations.
Make child protection reports to the Children’s Aid Society, in consultation with the Safe Shelter Manager or On Call Supervisor.
Complete documentation (casenotes, Incident Reports) as directed by Shelter Manager or On Call Supervisor.
Assist in the training of staff, students, and volunteers by actively participating in the onboarding and on-shift training process.
Attend staff meetings as required for this position, namely Part-Time & Relief Staff Meetings, which may occur outside the Relief Crisis Intervention Counsellor’s work hours.
Represent Halton Women’s Place in a positive and professional manner at all times, and especially when attending community events.
Attend Halton Women’s Place community engagement and fundraising events in adherence with shelter scheduling and coverage protocols.
Any other task or duty as assigned by the Safe Shelter Manager or On Call Supervisor to maintain excellent client service and safe, secure shelter operations.