Child and Youth Counsellor III - Overnights - Safe Haven

at  Lutherwood

STARLING COMMUNITY SERVICES IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERYONE EXPERIENCES MENTAL WELLNESS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING.

To better serve the diversity of our community, the agency is committed to embedding anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices, and perspectives into the fabric of our organization. We have implemented mandatory antiracism training, we are actively building safe spaces to host brave conversations for learning, and we are fostering a culture of belonging for all, but especially BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, historically and presently marginalized individuals and communities.

YOUR TALENTS AND EXPERIENCE:

Diploma or degree in child and youth work or related discipline plus at least one year successful experience as a Child and Youth Counsellor II, or a minimum of five years relevant education and special experience or skills. Working knowledge of relevant government legislation and provincial standards (i.e. CFSA, YCJA, Education Act, Licensing Provisions, etc.) Ability to: communicate openly and honestly with youth, staff and supervisor; work under the physical and emotional stress in the role; make decisions; give and take direction; implement changes in programming at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances. Committed to helping youth within an interdisciplinary team using individual and small group therapy processes where indicated. Ability to relate to youth with warmth and understanding and setting consistent appropriate limits. Ability and experience in integrating theoretical knowledge and practice skills in individual, small groups, life space and milieu therapy processes, as well as the ability to lead activity groups. Required to hold a “G” class license. First Aid Certificate, CPR, P.M.A.B., WHMIS.

Coordination Role:

• Under the supervision of the Residential Program Supervisor, orients and trains new staff, students and volunteers.
• Develops and monitors an effective pool of relief staff.
• Assists with the development and monitoring of staff schedules.
• Integrates and monitors volunteers within the overall treatment and academic program.
• Assists in creating a work climate conducive to effective treatment, and encourages innovation, creativity, learning and safety.
• Participates in program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Is responsible for working with the team to ensure that all associated tasks are being completed.
• Ensures that the outcomes of the team meet the required standards and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Provides day to day guidance to team members to ensure that time-lines are met.
• Provides in-put to the Program Supervisor into annual performance appraisals of team members but does not write nor conduct performance appraisal meetings.
• Participates in a variety of meetings including staff meetings, liaison meetings, case conferences, plans of care, family meetings, treatment planning, and program reviews, ensuring continuity and effectiveness of service.

Client Service:

• Performs primary/secondary worker and treatment plan coordinator functions, for assigned cases.
• Participates in case review meetings for assigned cases.
• Supervises, monitors, supports, and counsels clients throughout all components of the program.
• Assesses, develops and implements goals and objectives for the group program, establishing norms and structure that provide a safe and growth-focused environment.
• Assesses, develops, and implements goals and objectives with individual clients, ensuring continuity and integration of care.
• Assimilates clients’ individual plans of care into the group program, coordinating the individual and group goals.
• Counsels clients in individual and group settings, including therapy sessions, life skills, social skills and specific issues as they arise.
• Responds to client crisis situations utilizing crisis intervention and P.M.A.B. techniques.
• Participates with clients in special program events.
• Liaises with client, family, day treatment, police, educational staff and other agencies ensuring communication, continuity and support.
• Participates with members of the clients’ multidisciplinary team, Supervisor and other Agency personnel in coordinating and implementing programs.
• Participates in developing, implementing and evaluating client plan of actions and contracts.
• Drives clients to off-site appointments and activities in the community.
• Administers medication and attends to clients’ medical needs.
• Acts as a positive role model for clients.
• Plans and implements the group and individual programs.
• Participates in designing, delivering and evaluating the overall program.
• Participates in assessing, developing, and implementing assessment plans and support in the home and community.
• Develops and promotes specialized programs (safety contract, weekend planner, etc.).
• Provides back up support to Mobile Crisis Worker as required. This may or may not include an outreach component responding in the community where the crisis is occurring.
• Responds to crisis calls, gathering all relevant information, and determines the appropriateness of all referrals as per existing protocols.
• Evaluates the severity of the crisis situations and determines whether or not a mobile response is warranted or if phone support and referral onto other services is sufficient.
• Responds to the client utilizing crisis intervention strategies, de-escalation techniques when a mobile response is warranted.
• Completes various screening tools, e.g. Mental Status Screening or Suicide Risk Assessment seen as appropriate in determining the next course of action.
• Develops a crisis management service plan in a proactive manner, utilizing family strengths and resources augmented with community resources.

Administration:

• Oversees and monitors group budgets, applying to the Residential Program Supervisor/Manager for other financial needs.
• Prepares monthly billings for Finance regarding OPR.
• Collects information, records and maintains client files, updates client and shift data, and completes discharge reports.
• Collects and records information for medication trials.
• Oversees and monitors safety, general repair, maintenance, and cleanliness in the facility, reporting deficiencies to the Residential Program Supervisor or Maintenance Department.
• Monitors the security of the facility.
• Responsible for HIFIS database.
• Coordinates respite program.

Leadership:

• Promotes and supports Lutherwood’s Mission and Vision by being positive and supportive to all staff.
• Demonstrates behaviour consistent with Lutherwood’s Leadership Values.
• Supports employees using a strength-based and solution focused approach.
• Responsible for maintaining a high level of employee engagement and promoting a healthy organizational work culture.
• Builds on employee strengths and relationships to inspire, motivate and support staff.

Provides operational leadership to ensure service outcomes are achieved.
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