Supportive Housing Worker

John Howard Society of Ottawa•Ottawa, ON

2d•CA$24 - CA$27•Onsite

About The Position

The John Howard Society's Enhanced Supportive Housing Program caters to men and women who have been long-term shelter users, aged 18 and over. This program offers semi-independent accommodation and support. The site is managed by the John Howard Society of Ottawa with support from Ottawa Inner City Health and other community partners. Embracing the Housing First Principles, Enhanced Supportive Housing provides adults with a chance to secure safe accommodations and access intensive on-site support to help them achieve their life goals, regardless of their complexities and challenges. The program's goal is to contribute to a reduction in the number of individuals relying on homeless shelters or living on the streets.

Requirements

University Degree/College Diploma in a Social Services program OR working towards completion of one
Competency in engaging and establishing rapport with clients experiencing mental health and substance use issues.
Competency in using crisis management skills if required.
Knowledge of relevant legislation (Residential Tenancies Act and Mental Health Act) as well as a clear understanding of operating within agency policies and procedures
Basic counselling skills to support interactions, and possible case plan tasks with adult men and women as directed by the counselling team.
Strong organizational skills to support the completion of various maintenance, cleaning, and other administrative tasks while on shift.
Competency in written skills to support log entries and report summaries.
Provide a recent Criminal Record Check
Have a demonstrated ability to work within timelines and deadlines.
Possess strong time management and organizational skills.
Have the ability to effectively deal with neighbour or community complaints after hours if required.
Have excellent people skills to facilitate relationships with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and community members.

Nice To Haves

Minimum two (2) years working with the homeless population.
Experience in housing/residential setting
Experience working in a Harm Reduction environment.
Experiences working as part of an Interdisciplinary team.
Knowledge about harm reduction and Housing First philosophies.
Has some familiarity about trauma-informed care

Responsibilities

Cultivate a secure and encouraging atmosphere, promoting community and connections.
Prepare and serve daily meals
Enforce adherence to resident care plans and behavioral contracts.
Collaborate with caseworkers to consistently update and maintain resident care plans
Engage in ongoing professional development through relevant training, supervision, and Supportive Housing Worker development plans
Ensure cleanliness and hygiene standards are maintained within residential units.
Implement strategies to educate and involve residents in maintaining a clean-living environment.
To provide support to residents through a consistent Life Skill Building Program, encompassing responsibilities such as help in cleaning and maintaining unit cleanliness, empowering residents to independently develop these skills to sustain their housing.
Respond promptly and provide support during client crises, addressing their fundamental needs.
Helping the Client engagement and activities facilitator in implementing recreation events and meaningful daily activities to create a sense of belongingness in the clients.
Demonstrate proficiency in establishing meaningful connections and building rapport with clients dealing with mental health and substance use challenges.
Assist in maintaining a positive environment for residents and colleagues.
Complete daily housekeeping and report any building deficiencies
Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Carruthers Supportive Housing Operations Manual and adhere to all protocols associated with that manual
To be prepared to handle emergency situations effectively, following established protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and the staff
Facilitate excellent collaborative relationships with the team and the partner agency program colleagues and provide coverage when required
Support the residents to follow rules and expectations of building and program
To respect and honor the diverse backgrounds and cultural preferences of residents and the staff ensuring their cultural and religious needs are met
Perform other duties as may be occasionally requested.
To manage challenging behaviors through de-escalation techniques and communicate them with the caseworkers and healthcare team for behavioral support plans
To assist residents with Life Building skills (LSB) in unit care fostering their independence and dignity.
Maintain and update daily log notes on SW log notes on shared drive.
Produce additional written reports, care plans, and records as required.
Submit necessary statistical information as required