DS-U26-10R Junior Developmental Service Worker - TAY

Springboard•Toronto, ON

3h•Onsite

About The Position

Springboard's mission is to build stronger communities by helping youth and adults develop the skills they need to reach their full potential. As a charitable organization, we deliver innovative, professional and diverse programming by establishing partnerships between our clients and their community. Springboard’s program areas include community justice, employment, developmental services, youth justice, Weed out The Risk and The Community Learning HUB. People are at the centre of everything we do. We foster opportunities for skills development, personal growth and social interaction. We also actively promote work/life balance and mental health supports. We foster communication across the agency, from our Town Halls to our quarterly Springboard orientations. We are a learning organization, and our people have the opportunity to provide feedback into all areas of the organization. We have an active Employee Engagement Committee that focuses on connecting staff through communication, a rewards and recognition program, career development initiatives and social/team building opportunities. Springboard offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time, permanent staff and, a savings plan for all permanent positions. The Developmental Services’ TAY home is a supported living program that provides for transitional aged youth (TAY) with developmental disabilities, to support their transition from the child welfare system and assist in developing identified life skills pertinent for the individual’s life stage. Our TAY Home offers a unique and innovative approach to skills training, providing an inclusive and supportive home where individuals can create and achieve their own unique goals.

Requirements

Post-Secondary school diploma in Social Services or Developmental Services or Secondary school diploma with at least one year of experience in Developmental Services.
Valid First Aid and Safe Management certifications.
Strong knowledge in computer applications, i.e., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
Minimum one (1) year of recent work-related experience in the following areas: Working directly with individuals with a developmental disability or dual diagnosis.
Experience with case management.
Experience supporting youth involved in the child welfare system.
Experience working from a trauma-informed and harm reduction approach.
Direct experience engaging with diverse populations and an ability to apply a culturally responsive lens to all interactions, including program implementation and capacity-building with young people.
Understanding of the Social Inclusion Act and the Act for the Supports of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (2008).
Working knowledge of the Developmental Services Sector.
Proven individual and group facilitation skills leading to individuals increasing independence related to activities of daily living.
Assessment skills required for both the delivery of service to individuals and daily operational/programming issues, including determination of suitability and risk.
Program planning skills to implement, evaluate and modify new and existing programs, as needed.
Effective crisis intervention skills to diffuse challenging situations.
Ability to work well under pressure to ensure minimal interruption in service delivery.
Written and verbal communication skills in English to communicate ideas, instructions and information in a clear, concise manner.

Nice To Haves

Ability to communicate in French verbally and in written form.

Responsibilities

Locate programs, services, housing and employment opportunities for individuals supported that align with goal plans.
Coordinating and providing direct support in the implementation of goals, monitoring achievements and outcomes.
Work effectively with other members of the TAY staff to develop strategies and implement therapeutic programming.
Receives direction from Senior Developmental Service Workers to support individuals in the home achieve goals.
Ensure the appropriate personal and physical care, crisis response, counselling and emotional support are provided in an effective, trauma informed manner.
Maintain documentation, monitoring of finance for supported individuals.
Support development of programs both within and outside of the home. Implement life skills facilitation that enable individuals to live and integrate into the community independently.
Ensure program plans that are developed and implemented promote independent living and are based on individual’s needs/goals, reflects high level of learning, and planned in discussion and collaboration with the Supervisor.
Successful facilitation of life skills programming, either one on one or in group settings, based on Individual’s needs, goals and support plan, and within the set timelines and standards.
Participate in assessing the long-term service needs of individuals supported and the program.
In collaboration with individuals living in the home, oversee and implement menu planning meal preparation as required.
Provide supports for individuals to enable them to actively participate in community activities and/or recreational outings in a safe manner.
Community outings, appointments, and activities are carefully planned and in accordance with individual’s needs, safety protocols, available resources, and programming; and promote social inclusion.
Demonstrate professionalism respect at all times, including developing and fostering positive relationships with the individual, their family/caregivers, and the community and referral sources.
Reduce safety incidents through a variety of strategies that reinforce positive behaviour and identify before, during and after behaviour through appropriate collection of objective, accurate information on an individual’s behaviour as required, including the implementation of the debrief process as per established Safe Management Group (SMG)G and funder guidelines.
Proper and consistent application of Individual’s Behaviour Support Plans and Safe Management, in case of crisis or when dealing with challenging behaviour.
Ensure safety and security of the house, the individuals and the staff as per legislation and policies.
Swift and appropriate identification and reporting of any potential hazards.
Written materials and/or correspondence are professional, clearly written and reflects the philosophy of the agency and department and the privacy of the individuals in service.
Support staff scheduling, as needed.
Regularly, accurately, timely update files, databases or reports; and use applicable computer systems proficiently (Outlook, Team, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel) in preparing presentation and/or program materials, correspondence, compiling/preparing reports, updating files and databases.