"Stay In School" Program Frontline Worker

Title: "Stay in School Program" Case Worker

Reports To: Helix House Manager

Contract Length and Job Type

Full-time (40 hours/week) Permanent Position

Hours: M-F 2:00pm - 10:00pm (1:00 - 9:00pm on Tuesdays)

Starting December 9, 2024/ ASAP

Toronto, ON

Compensation

Starting Salary: $49,500

Paid time-off, Health Benefits and RRSP Matching Program

Company Description

Youth Without Shelter is an emergency residence and referral agency serving homeless youth. We are dedicated to providing shelter and support programs for homeless youth age 16-24. We provide an independent shelter in Etobicoke and a supportive housing unit in downtown Toronto. Both are committed to diverse, client-focused services in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Our programs enable youth to live responsibly and independently in society. The Stay in School Program offers supportive housing for youth dedicated to completing their education within a safe and stable environment with support and guidance from qualified staff. Youth in the SIS program also receive guidance from a professional wraparound team, case management, one-on-one tutoring on specific subjects, a mentorship program, school supplies including laptops, their own study space and more.

Position Description

As a Case Manager, you will be responsible for the daily supervision, support and overall care of SIS youth residing at Helix House. You will be required to work collectively and effectively with colleagues in the development, implementation and ongoing monitoring of the residents’ case plans and programming and following all procedures and policies in an effort to maintain a safe environment for staff and residents. Case Management will include assessing and supporting their needs to be successful in school, dealing with specific concerns around immigration, facilitating mental health supports, imparting life skills, building community partnerships and working with our housing and employment teams to provide the best wraparound services to the Helix House youth.

Job Requirements

· University degree/College diploma in Social Work, Child and Youth Work, or equivalent

· Able to work full-time on-site, afternoon/evening shift

· Minimum of 2 years’ experience as Case Manager

· Knowledge of the issues that lead young people to become homeless

· Experience in providing trauma-informed care and managing high crisis situations

· Able to provide client-centered, evidence-based, outcome-oriented care and work with youth in a sensitive, caring and non-judgmental manner

· Demonstrates comfort working with individuals with trauma histories

· Able to keep detailed and up-to-date client records (Familiarity with SMIS a plus)

· Demonstrates knowledge of community resources, and referral agencies

· Able to consistently work sensitively, tactfully, diplomatically, and professionally

· Experience working with people from diverse gender, sex, cultural, and racial backgrounds

· Capacity to exhibit professional manner and appearance (business casual) when representing YWS and SIS program in the community

· Computer proficiency

· Vaccination against COVID-19 preferred

Core Competencies

· Ability to multi-task around youth concerns i.e. education, mental health and housing

· Strong understanding of the issues facing homeless youths

· Ability to treat all youth equitably in providing care and support

· Knowledge of appropriate intervention in crisis

· Works positively with change and with new ways of doing things

· Undertakes action on events rather then passively accepting the norm

· Recognizes the “people” side of situation and the need for positive relationships

· Demonstrates the ability to reach reasonable decisions considering all factors and sides

· Ability to prioritize, schedule, use time effectively, and manage and share work area

· Willingness to work with others towards a common goal

· Demonstrates creativity, flexibility and understanding when working with residents to balance their needs with the needs of the Stay in School Program

· Ability to demonstrates clear communication, both written and verbally

· Accepts responsibility for actions and demonstrates initiative for professional growth

· Maintains an appropriate level of professionalism at all times including a cordial and productive working relationship with staff, volunteers and student

· Actively supports and applies health and safety protocols

· Committed to the mission and values of the organization

Job Duties

• Intakes and Referrals

a. Ensure equal access for homeless and at-risk youth to the program

b. Conduct thorough intakes; ensuring youth are educated about policies, daily routine, rules, services and programs available to them

c. Follow all guidelines, policies and processes for intakes and fair discharges

d. Work with Helix House Manager to make appropriate referrals for residents

2. Case Management and Supervision

• Provide residents with case management support through counselling, case plans, engagement, supervision and follow up
• Meet with residents frequently (both formally and informally) to develop positive therapeutic relationships and provide guidance and direction
• Ensure youth attend appointments or accompany them if necessary

d. Ensure residents’ needs, requests, concerns and complaints are listened to, taken seriously in addressed in a timely manner

• Liaise with outside agencies/organizations/schools regarding residents needs and progress
• Work as a team with Housing, Employment, Mental Health and Life Skills programs
• Complete thorough file entries daily

3. Safety and Crisis Management

• Recognize the signs of a crisis and provide crisis prevention/intervention by following policies and procedures of YWS and Crisis Prevention while treating residents with dignity
• Ensure all Health and Safety policies and procedure are followed and any concerns are forwarded to the Property Manager or a member of the JHSC
• Conduct and document facility/safety checks and scheduled fire drills
• Adhere to strict confidentiality policy for staff and residents

4. Administration and Program Management

• Ensure all documentation is thorough, accurate and timely
• Update logs, SMIS, Airtable, resident files and charts as required in daily routines.
• Assist Program Manager with any assigned
• Complete necessary documentation for assessment, reviews, programs and follow up meetings
• Attend bi-weekly case conference and all staff meetings

5. Staff Development and Evaluation

• Actively participate in partnership meetings to support the SIS program
• Actively participate in agency training opportunities
• Assist in the training of new relief staff
• Commit to setting goals for professional development

6. Resident Relationships

a. Conduct all interactions with youth in manner that imparts dignity and understanding

b. Develop positive, productive, professional relationships with the residents

c. Encourage and inspire residents to achieve their potential

Requirements

· University degree or Community College diploma in Social Work, Child and Youth Work, or equivalent

· Knowledge of the issues that lead young people to become homeless

· Able to work with our residents in a sensitive, caring and non-judgmental manner

· Ability to make appropriate assessments and referrals

· Ability to manage high crisis situations

· Knowledge of community resources, and referral agencies

· Able to keep detailed and up-to-date clients records on SMIS

· Able to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, diplomatically, and professionally at all times

· Demonstrates comfort working with individuals with trauma histories

· Ability to provide client-centered, evidence-based, outcome-oriented car

· Experience working with people from diverse gender, sex, cultural, and racial backgrounds

· Computer proficiency

Work Conditions

• Rooming House setting
• Afternoon/Evening Shift: 2pm – 10pm
• Working solo shift
• Case load of 5 clients
• Work physically close to others
• Interactions with other RTA tenants in the building
• Possible conflict and rude or challenging behavior from clients or tenants
• Long periods of time sitting

· Interacts with residents, family members, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel under all circumstances, which may be traumatic situations.

• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Lifting or moving up to 20lbs may be required

Qualified applicants should email their resume and cover letter to the attention of:

Lindsay Black HR Manager at Youth Without Shelter.

Internal and External Application deadline: November 25, 2024

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $49,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• RRSP match

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

• Are you able to work independently?
• Do you have a current Vulnerable Sector Check from your local police department? All staff must pass a VSC.
• If not, are you willing to submit one? Please note that if you live in an area with an 'M' postal code, there is a 6 week delay in receiving your VSC from Toronto Police. Staff cannot work one-on-one with our youth without this valid document.

Education:

• DCS / DEC (preferred)

Experience:

• Case Worker: 2 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-11-25
Expected start date: 2024-12-09