Employer: Family Counselling Centre.
Location: St. Catharines, Ontario.
Salary: $39.18 - $49.58.
Type: Up to 12-month contract, up to 10 hours per week.

WHO WE ARE:

Family and Children’s Services has been making a positive difference in the lives of children, youth, and families in Niagara for more than a century. As a multiservice agency providing child welfare services, fostering and adoption, counselling, and childcare, the team at FACS Niagara works to keep children safe and families strong.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of Manager of FCC Administration and Programs, the Group Facilitator for Partner Assault Response Program and/or Caring Dads Program provides skilled and specialized counselling in individual and group therapy to clients who have exposed their children to violence, and/or who may have been abusive to their children.

EXPEREINCE AND EDUCATION:

• M.S.W. or its equivalent.
• Specific treatment experience with individuals and families with family violence related issues, including perpetrators, victims and witnesses.
• Group work experience.
• Valid G Driver’s License and access to a reliable motor vehicle with appropriate liability insurance required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Personal integrity and responsibility and a commitment to the goals of Child Welfare, Niagara FACS, the Family Counselling Centre and the Partner Assault Response and Caring Dads Programs.
• Initiative and ability to work independently.
• Comfort with the use of authority.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and work cooperatively in a team setting.
• Specialized skills and demonstrated proficiency in individual and group therapy in assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, resource coordination and goal directed casework.
• The ability to make differential use of various treatment modalities.
• Proficiency in specialized treatment skills in working with men (and women) who have issues with power and control, anger, impulse control and other abusive attitudes and behaviours.
• Ability to work with clients who are mandated to attend programming.
• Awareness of the impact of family violence on women victims and children who have experienced family violence.
• The ability to work effectively with women who have been abused by their partners.
• Understanding of child development issues (for Caring Dads facilitators).
• Demonstrated strong group facilitation skills.
• The ability to collaborate effectively and cooperatively with colleagues in a team setting.
• The ability to write clear concise reports and to complete other administrative requirements within outlined deadlines.
• Strong public relations and communication skills.
• Skills in program development.
• The ability to present evidence when necessary in court.
• The ability to assess the appropriateness of community resources.
• Demonstrated computer literacy (MS Office, Outlook e-mail).
• Ability to communicate in French or another language an asset.

• Conduct assessment interviews, individual counselling and group counselling using a variety of modalities to male and female clients who have been abusive in their intimate relationships and/or for fathers who have either abused, or exposed their children, or step children to violence.
• Work collaboratively with other Partner Assault Response Program or Caring Dads team members, including, the Partner Assault Response Program Partner Contact/Caring Dads Mother Contact and other Partner Assault Response and/or Caring Dads Program Group Facilitators, to ensure cases are appropriately managed.
• Maintain records for each client and prepare required documentation in accordance with established procedures.
• Provide information to other collateral contacts, as necessary and in accordance with established procedures.
• Provide liaison with community or service organizations as delegated.
• Keep the Supervisor informed of general case management information as well as exceptional situations, events or trends which may have implications for the agency or the Society.
• Maintain therapeutic competence and promote professional development through reference to professional literature and by participation in professional development programs in the department, the society, and the community.