Counsellor, Mental Health, Social Work

This is a contract position until March 2028

Under the direction of the Legal and Transitional Support Supervisor, the Support Within Housing Counsellor will assist clients as they establish violence-free lives in the community. This includes providing support and assistance with goal and safety planning, making referrals, liaising and coordinating with other community support agencies.

• To coordinate the Support Within Housing Program for women with moderate to severe mental health issues who require support with housing
• To provide screening, referral, intake and discharge for housing within specific program units in the community
• To provide supportive counselling, transitional support, crisis management, day program and drop in activities
• To provide individual advocacy and referrals

• Screening and referral of potential women for the program
• Completing orientation, intake and discharge paperwork
• Coordinating the referral procedure, assessing and selecting residents for the program
• Providing appropriate admission and orientation for new residents
• Encouraging a positive, supportive relationship among residents, and providing conflict resolution when needed
• Liaising with SHIP’s Tenant Relations and other staff

• Facilitating peer and group support and resident input into their housing environment
• Assisting each woman in identifying and achieving her personal and career goals
• Providing ongoing individual and group intervention and support to program participants
• Providing crisis support and intervention
• Providing support, options, referral and liaison with community resources and agencies as required
• Participating in case management through regular consultation with staff and attendance at appropriate meetings
• Providing support services to individuals with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of being homeless
• Connecting with land people, matching people to housing, conducting housing advocacy and teaching life skills
• Actively working and collaborating with the SHIP staff to ensure residents receive all the necessary supports and services
• Working with other staff to assist in the development of policies and program procedures
• Providing individual advocacy for residents and former residents as appropriate.
• Providing referrals for clients as required
• Developing and coordinating program and drop in activities
• Working with the SHIP staff to facilitate peer and group support around the activities of daily living
• Partnering with local agencies and organizations to establish community connections and opportunities for the clients

• Working towards building partnerships in the community with those involved in the mental health, abuse, housing and addiction sectors
• Participating on relevant community and regional committees
• Exploring and developing opportunities to address the stigma associated with abuse, mental health and housing
• Educating the community on issues relating to abuse, mental health and housing
• Providing occasional education/informal presentations to professional and community groups
• Developing and distributing program information to the community
• Participating in SHIP’s Initiatives
• Providing suggestions that will improve efficiency, working conditions or procedures to Coordinated Access Table (CAT)

Committing to the agency’s core values of:
Compassion, Integrity, Respect, Inclusiveness, Continuous Learning and Innovation

Adhering to FTP policies and procedures and compliance with required legislative and regulatory requirements such as OHSA, AODA, etc.

Demonstrating initiative and a dedicated commitment to…