POSITION SUMMARY:
Working from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma informed, and intersectional feminist framework, the full-time days Residential Client Advocate will support women and their dependents who are experiencing abuse and/or homelessness. The Residential Client Advocate will create a safe and supportive environment for residents, as well as utilize a client-centered approach that respects their self-determination and personal decision making.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide direct service to all women-identified individuals and their dependents including, but not limited to, conducting risk assessments, safety planning, completing assessments and admissions, facilitating programming, providing emotional support, offering housing 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
- Support the development of a risk assessment and detailed personal safety plan for women-identified individuals and their dependents who have experienced abuse and 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 work in collaboration with Hamilton Child and Family Supports, Catholic Children’s Aid Society, or any child protection agency to best support clients.
- Providing information and referrals to community resources as identified by service users
- Clean service-user’s rooms, as well as other areas of the building on weekends when cleaning staff are not available, and at other times during the week if needed
- Complete shelter laundry
- Ensure nightly that the bed board is accurate and up to date
- Ensure the in and out log of residents is up to date and women have returned to shelter by time the resident has indicated
- Complete Mission Person’s Report with Hamilton Police Service when needed according to the HPS/Emergency Shelter Protocol
- Ensure nightly tasks are completed such as run dishwasher, refill water filter pitcher, RCA space is clean and organized, submit completed check list to Manager of Residential Programming at the end of each shift
- Ensure the overall management, safety and security of the shelter is maintained
- 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, calendars, and report templates
- Understand and follow protocols with community partners such as Hamilton Police Services, Hamilton Child and Family Supports, French Language Service Agreement 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
- Understands and adheres to all Mission Services, Inasmuch House policies and procedure MCCSS VAW Emergency Shelter Standards
- Other duties that may be required to ensure the continuation of services
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum diploma in Social Service Work, or related field
- Preference for a degree in Social Work
- Minimum two (2) years of work experience in any of the following fields: gender-based violence, addiction, mental health, concurrent disorders, counselling or other social service positions supporting vulnerable women
- Preference for two (2) to four (4) years of experience working in the above fields
- Demonstrated understanding of gender-based violence, child abuse, mental health disorders, addiction, poverty and homelessness
- Demonstrated understanding of working from an intersectional feminist lens
- Demonstrated ability to provide person-centered, trauma-informed and anti racism anti oppression services and supports to women and children with diverse experiences and identities
- Excellent counselling, crisis intervention, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations
- Confident decision maker and enthusiastic team player
- Committed to upholding the organization’s mission, values and standards
- Fluency in French is an asset
HOURS OF WORK:
REQUIREMENTS:
- Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- Two-Step Tuberculosis Skin Test
COMPENSATION:
