Family Preservation and Support Counsellor
About Community Services:
Sunshine Coast Community Services Society is a community-based organization that has been providing services for people on the Sunshine Coast since 1974. Our history is one of caring, commitment, and flexibility. We provide services through more than 30 programs all along the Coast in four key areas - Community Action and Engagement; Together Against Violence; Child and Family Counselling; and Family, Youth, and Children's Services. Our core values are those of social justice, inter-dependence, diversity, compassion, and respect. We are looking for staff who share our values and are passionate about making a difference in their community.
Summary:
The Family Preservation & Support Counsellor provides brief, home-based interventions to prevent child out-of-home placements and reduce the risk of child maltreatment. This role focuses on strengthening and preserving families by addressing crises and challenges that threaten family stability, child safety, or well-being. Key responsibilities include crisis intervention, relationship building, problem identification, emotional support, and developing actionable plans. Services may also involve therapeutic family violence interventions and support for family service plans. The Counsellor uses a strength-based approach and reports to the Lead of the Child and Family Counselling Team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Creating a safe space for counseling individuals, families, or groups, assessing client needs, and developing SMART goals-based treatment plans, with attention to risk factors, safety, and cultural competency, especially for Indigenous families.
- Building trust and rapport with clients, collaborating with family members, care providers, and other community resources, while making appropriate referrals to enhance support.
- Keeping accurate client records and files, adhering to program guidelines and SCCSS policies, and participating in team meetings, clinical supervision, and feedback sessions.
- Coordinating with the Program Lead to set standards, track progress, and fulfill reporting and compliance requirements, including legal, contractual, and accreditation standards.
- Collaborating with other SCCSS programs and community agencies to enhance service delivery, reduce barriers, and stay informed about local demographic and socio-economic factors.
- Supporting the SCCSS mission, vision, and values by participating in organizational initiatives, staying updated on programs and services, and assisting in training students and volunteers.
- Performing additional duties as needed to ensure effective program and organizational operations.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field, with at least 2 years of post-degree experience in family and children’s services.
- Strong knowledge of relevant Local, Provincial, and Federal legislation, and an understanding of trauma-informed, anti-oppressive approaches to family systems.
- Knowledge of abuse dynamics, parenting challenges, mental health, addiction issues, and the impacts of colonization and Residential Schools on Indigenous communities.
- Experience with non-violent crisis intervention for individuals facing mental health challenges.
- Proven ability to work effectively, non-judgmentally, and collaboratively with diverse backgrounds across cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic spectrums.
- Excellent conflict resolution skills, with the ability to prioritize and collaborate with internal programs and community partners.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Experience in the non-profit sector is an asset.
- Successful criminal record check (vulnerable population).
- Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required for travel across the Coast.
Working Conditions:
- This position works in a variety of locations including family residents, community settings and a typical office environment.
- This position may work alone, one-to-one with families or individuals, with little to no supervision.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to assist families with life skills in their homes that may require moderate lifting and/or moving.
- Ability to lift babies and children up to 50 pounds and take in and out of car seats
Why Work for Community Services?
- Competitive transparent wages.
- Employer covers 100% of the cost of benefits and 75% of the cost of long-term disability.
- Employer contributed MPP plan.
- Start with 3 weeks of vacation in your first year and move to 4 weeks in your second year.
- 5 days of special leave per year (i.e., wellness days and more)
- Paid membership for professional designations.
- Opportunities for professional growth and to truly make a difference in the community.
- Off-Site Annual Team Building Day, where you'll create engaging activities that strengthen teamwork and enhance employee connections!
Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.
Apply for this Position
OR