Social Worker, Transitional Housing Support

Tropicana Community Services•Toronto, ON

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Worker, Transitional Housing support will provide compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive support to women and children experiencing gender-based violence. This position will work collaboratively with clients to develop personalized safety and transition plans, connect them to essential community resources, provide individual and group counselling, and advocate on their behalf throughout their journey. This position also involves facilitating workshops (including START programs), coordinating community outreach initiatives, building partnerships with service providers, and helping create meaningful pathways toward safety, healing, and long-term stability for the women and families we serve.

Requirements

Education in Social Work and related work experience in counselling individuals and families from the Black, African, and Caribbean community
Current registration and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
Valid police clearance with vulnerable sector check
Experience in the field of violence against women and children prevention especially as it pertains to the Black, African, and Caribbean communities
Knowledge of community resources not limited to social services, education, employment, housing, health, criminal justice, and immigration
Ability to work well in a team setting and with minimal supervision
Demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, creativity, versatility, adaptability, and ability to engage people of all ages

Nice To Haves

Experience facilitation START programs

Responsibilities

Assess the needs of women, review the various options for services in the community and assist in the development of a transitional plan
Assist in safety planning for women and children
Assist women in using services such as, but not limited to, supportive housing (including rent supplements), counselling, parental support, education upgrading, job training, income support resources, legal aid, safety planning for children, health, and wellness programs
Accompany clients to court and to utilize other services where possible.
Initiate and/or participate in case conferences
Accept referrals from agencies delivering violence against women counselling programs, family counselling programs, shelters, other professionals or service providers, and women in the community who self-refer
Provide culturally appropriate counselling services to women and children, assisting them to cope and work through situations involving issues such as self- image, grief, abuse, settlement, relationship breakdown, behavior management, anger control, life skills, and stress management
Maintain contact with women for several months after they have received services.
Consult with relevant staff at Tropicana on an on-going basis as to the transition support services being provided to the clients
Share service experiences and ideas on a regular basis with colleagues of the Transitional Support Worker network
Develop and facilitate groups as determined by demonstrated need evidenced by caseload (e.g. self-image, grief, healthy living, etc.)
Develop and facilitate Aggression Replacement Training (START) program for women
Assist with special projects, event coordination, and other administrative duties assigned by management
Monitor workshop facilitation and service outcomes by evaluating, collecting data, and participation feedback
Develop positive links and partnerships with organizations through committee membership to enhance service delivery and ensure that members of the Black, African, and Caribbean community are receiving fair and equitable treatment
Conduct community visits to promote services to agencies including, but not limited to, social services, education, immigration, medical and legal systems
Provide culturally responsive counselling and anti-oppressive, trauma-informed counselling and education to women experiencing gender-based violence to help them develop actionable plans that facilitate their well-being and achievement of goals for themselves and their dependents including safety planning, information sharing, advocacy, system navigation, and accompaniment
Assess needs for eligibility into the Success through Aggression Replacement Training (START) program and, where necessary