2025-026 Child and Family Community Counsellor

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The position of the Family and Children Community Counsellor is responsible for determining a client’s eligibility and support needs through completion of the applicant referral process. The position also provides counselling, direct services and supports for individual clients, their families and significant others. These services may include parent/mediator training assistance and support, basic counselling and service coordination. The purpose of these services is to determine the support required for clients and families in accessing services and resources to maximize an individual client’s potential. Upon the establishment of a support plan a program is developed to map the individual’s potential and provide family support as a whole.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 year Bachelors Degree (University degree/undergraduate degree) in the Humanities, Psychology, Sociology or a related field
• 3 years related experience
• Knowledge of the needs and best practice service standards for children with developmental disabilities
• Able to work with families from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
• Able to work with multi-disciplinary team members
• Able to work with people in crisis
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to build rapport and trust
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal government resources and other community programs and services
• CPI, CPR and First aid training
• Valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. PROVIDES INTAKE SERVICES BY:

• Completing the applicant referral process to determine eligibility for services
• Gathering historical and other pertinent information necessary for the completion of the individual’s developmental history
• Completing the intake process by developing the Children’s Support Plan document outlining the applicant’s adaptive skills, strengths and needs including environmental, physical and psychological health considerations
• Using the information to develop a support plan
• Prioritizing service needs and identifying activities that will promote independence and allow the individual to maximize their potential
• Referring persons who do not meet DSLG’s mandate to other community agencies

2. PROVIDES SERVICES TO CLIENTS BY:

• Developing case plans reflecting goals and methodologies that are consistent with the strengths and support needs outlined in the Children’s Support Plan
• Providing service coordination and advocacy services as required by accessing, liaising, coordinating inter- and intra-agency services (i.e. case planning meetings, IPRC meetings, treatment team meetings etc)
• Providing parent training and/or mediation training in the areas of child development and child behavior management
• Adapting information as required and ensuring appropriate supports are available to families to carry out goal plans
• Assisting families to respond to issues related to housing, employment, finances, education, etc
• Assisting families to complete funding applications
• Ensuring client contracts are complete and up-to-date
• Identifying gaps in service and, where appropriate, creating specialized programming (i.e. social skills training, parental skills training etc)
• Completing annual case plans summarizing service commitments and associated costs
• Providing information and strategies to clients and mediators on the facilitation of adaptive skills
• Accessing assessment services and assisting families to implement recommendations through support and mentoring

3. RELATED TO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

• Operates in accordance with applicable Legislative, Ministry and professional association requirements of the position
• Is knowledgeable about, ensures others are knowledgeable about and complies with Quality Assurance Measures (QAM) guidelines as directed by MCCSS
• Is knowledgeable about, ensures others are knowledgeable about and complies with the agency’s policies and procedures
• Operates, at all times, in a safe and secure manner

4. HEALTH AND SAFETY:

• Ensure Health and Safety Program requirements are followed based on the Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Ensure an awareness of safety measures for the agency, yourself and the individuals receiving services
• Ensure compliance with the agency’s mandatory training requirements

The foregoing Job Description reflects the general duties necessary to describe the principal functions of the job identified, and shall not be construed to be all of the work requirements that may be inherent in this classification.

Developmental Services of Leeds and Grenville is committed to providing a recruitment and selection process that is both inclusive and free from barriers. DSLG welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available upon request, and will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Applicants are required, in advance, to make any accommodation request known to Human Resources by contacting the department at 1-613-345-1290 extension 177 or using the Bell Relay Service. Human Resources will strive to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodation for all applicants during the recruitment and selection process, which will ensure the process is conducted in a fair and equitable manner.

Reference ID: 2025-026

Status: Temporary Full-time (6 month contract)

Hourly rate Wage: $34.21 - $38.60

Hours of work: 72.50 Bi-Weekly

Location: Brockville, Leeds Grenville