Mission Services of London is a non-profit social service agency dedicated to serving residents of London and Middlesex County with compassion and dignity. Rotholme Family Shelter of Mission Services of London, has an opening for a full-time Housing Stability Worker. This position will provide short-term crisis counselling and ongoing support to participants. To support individuals and families as they transition to housing stability. This position reports to the Direct Care Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of a diploma or degree program in Human Services.
• 2-3 years of experience in Case Management/Rehabilitation Counselling.
• Experience working with participants within the family context with the ability to relate to family dynamics and communication.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of people of different ages, cultures and profile descriptions (i.e.: mental health challenges, learning disabilities, addictions, criminal justice issues, developmental challenges etc.).
• Experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Experience in complex case management, follow up and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the Landlord and Tenant Board and Residential Tenancies Act.
• Knowledge of abuse, addiction issues, child protection.
• Knowledge and experience dealing with mental health issues, learning disabilities, and developmental challenges.
• Sound knowledge of the following techniques is required: crisis intervention, anger diffusion, conflict intervention and resolution, and the use of chemical dependency diagnostic tools.
• Ability to provide participant advocacy with other system elements and proactive participant planning.
• Self-motivated, team player, self-reliant and flexible; politically and culturally sensitive.
• A high level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts.
• Act in accordance with MSL Mission, Vision and Values.
• Show insight into the cause of problems and generate a range of solutions and courses of action.
• Consider and use all the resources available to pursue a solution, including asking for help, seeking advice, and using others’ good ideas.
• Make timely, informed decisions considering facts, goals, constraints, and risks.
• Valid Driver’s licence and access to a vehicle is a must as this role provides support to participants within the community.
• Knowledge of WHMIS, First Aid, CPI.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

Housing Stability/Client Support/Referrals

• Provide intensive case management including regular, continuous in-home contact with the participant.
• Provide support to participants in the community, within the complexities of family dynamics, in the development and achievement of personal goals and objectives.
• Provide assistance and support to participants with daily life skills including: budgeting and money management, legal issues, social relationships, tenancy issues, needs of the children, etc.
• Apply documented, structured case planning with identified goals to ensure participant interactions have objectives and are outcome oriented.
• Broker and advocate with other system elements, accompany clients to appointments, provide proactive crisis planning, organize meaningful daily activity opportunities and liaise with OW and ODSP.
• Connect the family with appropriate services or supports based on their needs, including physical healthcare, mental healthcare, addiction services, trauma services, vocational assessment and training, employment, volunteer and social-recreational opportunities.
• Connect participants to other long or short-term formal and informal supports.
• Prepare and plan for “homelessness proofing” and re-housing. This includes recognizing and averting indicators that may de-stabilize a participants housing and focus on what worked when re-housing a participant.
• Apply a collaborative approach to case planning and record keeping. Collect and record demographic information and maintain detailed case notes, case management plans and descriptive of involved supports and community services using the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System [HIFIS].
• Facilitate open communication with landlords/building superintendents to ensure positive relationships and resolve immediate concerns or issues in conjunction with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
• Participate in research initiatives or evaluation.
• Participate in team meetings.

Documentation

• Maintain participant files documenting process of engagement, establishment of goals and objectives and progress being made.
• Provide timely, concise and accurate documentation of participant centered activities in accordance with required information.

Participant and Public Relationships

• Develop positive service linkages with community agencies/resources, resulting in seamless service to participants.
• Provide service to participants that is consistent with the mission, vision and values of Mission Services of London.
• Represent Mission Services at assigned public meetings and committee meetings.