Temporary Full Time Transitional Housing Case Worker (union position)

The Salvation Army London Centre of Hope Housing Case Worker is responsible to provide a positive living environment for all clients, promoting independence and self-help, and ensuring that client’s day-to-day basic needs are being met.  As The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world, every position contributes to the spiritual and social services mission of The Salvation Army, ensuring that their work and interactions with clients and coworkers is done in a manner befitting Christian standards, attitudes, principles and goals.

General:

• To complete all duties in accordance with the Standards and Policies & Procedures of The Salvation Army London Centre of Hope.
• Participate in regular staff meetings to review operational effectiveness, changes in policies and procedures, and in-service training.
• As required and as applicable, make suggestions that will improve efficiency, working conditions or procedures to the Shelter Leadership Team.
• Enforce agency rules and expectations consistently in accordance with Policies and Procedures
• Responsible to ensure that clients return any Centre of Hope belongings if they leave during your shift.
• Responsible to follow through on all safety and security procedures (including fire) as outlined in the policy and procedures manual.
• Make regular rounds throughout the floor.
• Responsible to initiate service plan development and implementation as needed within the centre; with community partners to foster successful utilization of shelter services by individuals with specific vulnerabilities that potentially could interfere with them accessing the services they need.
• Initiate and/or participate in case conferences as a forum for problem-solving and exploring alternative solutions to service provision as required; for those requiring individualized interventions ensuring follow through on any action plans and monitoring as required.
• Regularly solicit feedback from the individual-served and relevant community supports regarding the individual’s health, mental health and wellbeing including progress towards their goals.
• Assess individuals’ strengths, abilities, needs and preferences as well as social and environmental factors impacting the individual, and any vulnerability and risk factors.
• Introduce goal planning as a result and provide regular and intensive support and assertive engagement to motivate and support individuals to work towards meeting their goals.
• Maintain open communication with individual’s professional and natural supports regarding individual’s goals, clarifying the roles each can play towards assisting the individual to meet their goals; provide updates at case conferences as needed.
• Act as the designated primary worker for assigned individuals residing in transitional rooms in collaboration with community partners assigned.
• Create and maintain an individuals’ Crisis Plan, and communicate support needs associated with the goal of reducing the utilization of EMS, LPS etc.
• Provide health teaching about mental illness, harm reduction and symptom identification and management.
• Assist and coach individuals in the learning and management/achievement of quality of life activities such as: daily living, safety and security, healthy lifestyles, social and spirituality, community living and self-determination/ advocacy.
• Advocate, refer and connect individuals with appropriate services, supports, and resources (formal and informal) based on their needs.
• Completion of a Discharge Summary upon individuals transition points outlining progress made and recommendations for the future.
• Ensure effective communication with Director, Manager, staff team, and external treatment teams concerning each individual’s progress.
• Assist the Shelter Leadership Team in developing and implementing productive and appropriate activities/programs for clients requiring individualized interventions for success to participate in community.
• Develop, Implement and facilitate financial and life skills programing.
• Develop and initiate engagement practices and evaluations for assessing and promoting Housing Readiness.
• Create, implement and maintain daily communication practices across service team, as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of issues pertaining to individual confidentiality, shared databases (HIFIS) and consent to release personal information, and processes to ensure individual’s confidentiality is always maintained.
• Responsible to ensure that clients have adequate supplies of needed items to maintain health and well-being, including clothing.
• Follow up on all concerns expressed for individual’s well-being and document outcomes accordingly.
• Liaise with community workers and agencies; represent the organization in a professional and engaging manner.
• Identify, promote resolution, and management of all emergency situations concerning individuals, staff, and property.
• Ensure all appropriate documentation and recording is always maintained.
• Complete other required documentation (e.g. monthly time sheets, vacations requests, education requests, travel claims, expense claims) within the required time frames.
• Record any noted maintenance repairs on work orders and submit them using the online submission tool.
• Perform all necessary administrative duties for client documentation (VI SPDAT, Case Conference minutes etc. for those individuals requiring individualized service delivery or coordination services, make all computer entries etc. in a timely and effective manner.

Organizational Responsibilities:

• Develop an understanding of the Mission of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Maintain information in confidence as required.
• Participate as an active and responsible team member in all work groups through which position responsibilities are achieved.
• To treat the property of The Salvation Army with due care and caution.
• Represent the organization in a professional and engaging manner and assist personnel whom the position supports in developing those skills as required.
• Participate in supervision and performance appraisal process.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training.

Health and Safety

• Work closely with security and front desk staff, identifying any safety and security needs.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Responsible to work in compliance with the Ontario Health & Safety Acts and Regulations.
• Responsible to use personal protective equipment and clothing as directed by the employer.
• Responsible to report workplace hazards and dangers.
• Responsible to work in a manner as required by the employer and use the prescribed safety equipment.
• Responsible to report workplace injuries or illness.

Perform other position related duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Flexibility in scheduling is required.  The work schedule is determined in consultation with your supervisor and may vary according to requirements of responsibility.  Applicable shifts include a ½ hour paid meal break. The operational hours of this facility are 24/7.

Shifts: Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

End Date:  March 31, 2026

• Completion of a two-year College Diploma or University Degree in the field of human and or social services is required.
• Crisis intervention skills is an asset.
• Valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License, personal vehicle required and insurance, current copy of driver’s abstract that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.
• First Aid/CPR and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or willingness to acquire one.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Minimum of one to two years of prior related experience in community and program development, individualized service plan development and working within cross organizational teams.
• Experience in the development of crisis plans and provision of crisis intervention support.
• Experience participating in community planning forums, initiatives and/ or evaluation projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and understanding of addictions i.e. Stages of Change, Lapse and Relapse is an asset.
• Experience working with a diverse population, including mental health and addictions is required.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to the social and economic barriers and issues unique to the shelter system.
• Knowledgeable regarding referral sources and other social service providers.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES:

• Demonstrate critical thinking and make decisions both independently and collaboratively as required.
• Understanding and support for a Housing First philosophy and issues relating to housing stability for vulnerable population groups.
• Exhibit strength based compassionate response.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to follow detailed instructions.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Exhibit good listening skills, have strong oral/written communication skills and respect authority.
• Self-motivated and disciplined.
• Ability to maintain information in confidence and exercise good judgement.
• Ability to work independently and participate as an active and responsible team member in a cooperative team environment.
• Participate in mandatory orientation training, on-going professional development and training.
• Participate in regular supervision and performance appraisal process.
• Represent the organization in a positive, professional and engaging manner.
• Excellent computer and clerical skills- ability to electronically create, upload, file and send documents, navigate a database, effectively manage email.
• Ability to recognize and diffuse potential conflict situations.
• 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
• 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.

Interested applicants must respond in writing with a cover letter and resume.

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.