Relief Group Counsellor - Jobs in Toronto

Job Description

Grow with us! Family Service Toronto (FST) helps people face a wide variety of life challenges. For over 100 years, we have worked with individuals and families destabilized by precarious mental health and/or socioeconomic circumstances, to achieve greater resilience and stability in more just and supportive communities. We achieve this through our direct service work of intervention and prevention which includes, case management, counselling, peer support and education; knowledge building; and system-level work including social action, advocacy, community-building and working with partners to strengthen the sector.We’re proud of our people and culture! We are constantly evolving what we do and how we do it. Our work is grounded in the lived experience of the clients and the community. We celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence. We are agile, learning and always willing to try new things. The Opportunity! We are looking for experienced staff who have a professional interest in providing service to clients mandated through the courts on charges of assault to a partner assault response program. Programming is provided in a group-based environment with individual work done in exceptional circumstances. The Next Steps program provides a confidential, supportive, and challenging environment in which clients can develop the skills and attitudes to stop their abusive behaviour toward their partner. We provide service to clients in English, Tamil and French as well as members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. We are committed to developing a staff team that reflects the clients we serve. Groups are being held both virtually and on site. The successful candidate will provide relief support to members of the Next Steps Partner Assault Response program on a call in and scheduled basis, based on team member absences. Key Responsibilities· Facilitate a psycho-educational group for clients referred to FST’s Next Steps Partner Assault Response program· Work closely with co-facilitator to deliver programming, based on Ministry of Attorney general guidelines and requirements· Liaise with probation and parole officers, courts, police and other collaterals as required· Complete all activity notes and reports required by FST policy and our contract with the Ministry of the Attorney General as requiredKey Qualifications· MSW or equivalent combination of education and experience over a minimum three-year period (foreign credentials and relevant experience will be considered) · Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience in working with people who use abuse through psycho-educational group work using an equity, diversity, and inclusion framework· Strong assessment skills· Demonstrated training and experience in delivering psycho-educational groups and knowledge of group process· Knowledge of the dynamics of abuse in close personal relationships· Experience working with equity seeking communities and knowledge of cross-cultural issues related to partner abuse· Exposure to, or experience working with, the criminal justice system and partner assault response programs· Proven experience motivating clients who may be resistant/reluctant to change· Strong understanding of mental health and addictions as they relate to partner abuse· Current knowledge of best practices in mental health (e.g., crisis de-escalation, suicide prevention, harm reduction, addictions, child abuse, domestic abuse) · Good written and verbal communication skills · Demonstrated ability in working as a member of a team· Demonstrated commitment to principles of social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion· Current satisfactory criminal/vulnerable sector checkOur goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.We actively encourage applicants from all equity seeking groups. First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Black and People of Colour, people with disabilities, people of diverse gender expression, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities and people with lived experience of poverty are encouraged to apply. In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and FST’s Equity and Inclusion policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.We thank all applicants and will contact the individuals selected for an interview.