Temporary Full Time Community Follow Up Worker

The role of the Community Follow-Up Worker is to provide direct support to the clients in maintaining housing in the community; to enable the clients to realize their goals around independent living and provide support and advocacy as needed.

• Ensure clients receive proper customer service.
• Provide on-going support in the community to clients moving out of the shelter for a period of one year.
• To meet with clients in their homes or community to support them to maintain their housing.
• Coach and support clients as needed to access appropriate services.
• Facilitate appropriate long term case management referrals for clients requiring support beyond one year.
• Provides case management which includes immediate and ongoing needs (ID, financial, food, medical, clothing, and furniture); work with the client in achieving goals/housing plan; monitor and follow-up on client's progress.
• Develop individual case plans with clients to support housing stability.
• Participates in Case Management meetings.
• Assist clients with accessing and utilizing community resources.
• Provides system navigation, community support connections and crisis intervention.
• Provides eviction prevention services which includes negotiating and mediating with landlords and others on behalf of the client.
• Build relationship with client's housing operators through regular contact.
• Advocate on behalf of the client as required and appropriate.
• Provides mentoring and modeling as part of social and life skills education.
• Assists clients with necessary social and life skills (budgeting, meal planning etc.) on an on-going basis as needed.
• Keep accurate records and documentation (e.g., incident reports, log notes and case notes).
• Prepare statistical reports monthly and other reports as required.
• Ensures that Housing Help Database is kept up to date for client in program.
• In consultation with the Supervisor of Case Management be a back-up for the Housing Worker.
• Perform additional duties when required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This is a temporary full-time position based on 40 hours per week working Monday to Friday.

• Community College diploma in Social Services field.
• Certificate in First Aid/CPR, Crisis Intervention and Conflict Resolution.
• Valid Ontario Class "G" Driver's License and a current copy of a Driver's abstract for review and verification that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required (no vehicle required).
• Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

• One to three years of prior related experience, including frontline casework experience in a social service
• Good knowledge of community resources.
• Previous experience providing individual support to people living in poverty, dealing with mental health issues, addictions, social isolation and/or homelessness.
• Knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills (computer skills essential).
• Well-developed skills and ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Proven ability to constructively give and receive feedback.
• Highly developed understanding of and proven ability to communicate appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong understanding of and commitment to social justice issues, equity issues, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and anti-oppression.
• Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check with vulnerable sector screening.
• Ability and willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process, please advise us if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

You must advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.