Relief Residential Client Advocate

Mission Services of Hamilton•Hamilton, ON

3d•CA$23 - CA$26•Onsite

About The Position

The relief Residential Client Advocate will work from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma informed, and intersectional feminist framework and uses a client centered approach to support women-identified individuals and their dependents who are experiencing abuse and/or homelessness while offering a safe space for individuals to reside during this process. The Residential Client Advocate will provide service from a client-centered approach, respecting each woman’s self-determination and personal decision-making.

Requirements

Minimum diploma in Social Service Work, or related field
Minimum one (1) year of work experience and/or student placement experience in any of the following fields: gender-based violence, addiction, mental health, concurrent disorders, counselling or other social service positions supporting vulnerable women
Excellent understanding of gender-based violence and child abuse
Knowledge and understanding of individuals experiencing mental health disorders, addiction, poverty and homelessness
Works from an intersectional feminist perspective
Understands working from a person-centered, trauma-informed perspective
Works from an Anti-Racist Anti-Oppressive informed framework
Understanding of Mission Services’ Mission, Vision and Values and how these are to be reflected in practice
Empathy and active listening skills
Crisis intervention skills
Organizational and time-management skills
Interpersonal effectiveness skills
Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations
Ability to make confident decisions that align with the sector standards
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a team
Proof of passing a vulnerable sector check
Proof of negative two-step tuberculosis skin test

Nice To Haves

Preference for degree in Social Work
Ability to speak French is an asset

Responsibilities

Provide direct service to women-identified individuals and their dependents including, but not limited to, conducting risk assessment, safety planning, ensuring the safety of the shelter, completing assessments and admissions, facilitating programming, offering house information and completing housing applications, arrangement of interpreters, participating in conflict resolution and offering crisis intervention by phone and through web and text-based services
Ensure the overall safety and security of the shelter is maintained
Support in the development of a risk assessment and detailed personal safety plan for women-identified individuals and their dependents who have experienced violence and review and update as the service user situation changes
Identify child welfare concerns and comply with Duty to Report obligations in accordance with the child and Family Services Act and good practices in working with women-identified individuals and children around child-welfare concerns and collaborate with Hamilton Child and Family Supports, Catholic Children’s Aid Society as needed
Provide information on resources to service users and referrals as identified by service users
Participate in developing and delivering on-site groups and activities for service users
Inform and encourage service users to participate in filling out MCCSS Service User Surveys
Keep systematic records using automated case management software and in-house tools such as log books and report templates
Understand and follow protocols with community partners such as Hamilton Police Services, Hamilton Child and Family Supports, and the School Board
Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and case conference meetings as directed by management
Work safely, and identify and report any health and safety concerns, in accordance with Mission Services’ Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures
Adhere to a strict confidentiality policy
Understand and adhere to all Mission Services, Inasmuch House, and Shelter Standards policies and procedures
Adhere to all Mission Services and Inasmuch House and Shelter Standards policies and procedures
Assist in the supervision and provision of programming alongside Mission Services volunteers, and placement students
Other duties that may be required to ensure the continuation of services