Role overview

Position SummaryReporting to the Management Team or designate, the Family Support Worker provides a range of family centered support services to women and their children on an individual, family or group basis. Working closely with the management team and the Family Service Plan Coordinator, the FSW collaborates with women and their children to provide a range of services, including assessment of needs, planning, linking, and monitoring outcomes in a range of service delivery areas. The FSW also provides daily support including building safety and guest management, crisis intervention and prevention, health and recreational groups and general problem solving. The FSW also works collaboratively with other direct service staff, family and with external service providers and government ministries involved in the care and support of women and their children.The Family Support Worker ensures that the day-to-day operations of the program are run in a professional and efficient manner with attention to confidentiality and in compliance with the Budzey Program policy and procedures, and taking into consideration all forms of oppression facing the women and children who access our services.All staff must report concerns about child abuse/neglect in consultation with the management team and in accordance with the law and RainCity Housing and Support Society’s policy regarding reporting suspicions of child abuse and neglect.Position Title: Family Support WorkerProgram: BudzeyUnion: BCGEUSalary: $33.49 - $35.31 (BCGEU, Grid 34) Type: Casual ReliefSchedule: This is a casual relief position. Casuals will be called in to work to cover vacancies as they arise. Our programs run 24/7 365 days a year. We offer day, evening and over night shifts which are generally 8 hours in length.Start Date: As soon as possible
*Gender is a bona fide occupational requirement for this position. Women (trans, cis), gender diverse and Two--Spirit applicants only please.

A clear British Columbia Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check for working with vulnerable adults and/or children is a condition of employment with RainCity Housing. Applicants must be willing and able to receive a clearance under the Criminal Record Review Act.

Program SummaryThe Budzey provides supported housing to women and women-led families. (Women – trans and cis, two spirit and gender diverse). There are 147 units in total: 106 studio apartments for singles, and 41 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for families. There are around 250 people living in the building. The Budzey is a complex building with complex tenant population.
QUALIFICATIONSMany forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness / addiction/ homelessness; Minimum education and experience includes:

A Diploma in community social services
Two years of recent, related work experience with women and children, with an emphasis on family preservation and mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services, including one year of service planning experience.
Previous work with women and their children in a similar environment with demonstrated working knowledge of related community and provincial programs and resources is required.
Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Current First Aid and CPR certification. Child first aid is an asset
Class 5 driver’s license.

Key Skills and Abilities

Ability to apply an analysis and knowledge of women’s issues within a feminist framework, including mental health issues, substance use, sexual health, and exposure to violence.
Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with women and their children
Ability to identify and work to increase family strengths
Ability to work with families using hope-inducing strategies
Ability to implement family-centred service plans
Ability to respond to problematic behaviour using an understanding of the behaviour's context and function
Ability to informally support life-skills and parenting
Ability to create, facilitate and assist with peer-based in house programming
Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions
Ability to administer medications as per policies and procedures
Ability to effectively and safely resolve crisis situations
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
Ability to collaborate with staff team and external services Ability to constructively resolve conflict with co-workers, management and external services
Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally
Ability to organise and prioritise duties
Ability to operate office equipment including computers
Ability to identify family strengths and foster self-sufficiency and independence in families
Physically able to carry out the duties of the position
Sound knowledge of women and children-centred services.
Knowledge of infant and childhood development
Basic sound knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources
Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction.
Basic sound knowledge of diagnoses, treatment and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, including HIV and Hepatitis C.
Knowledge of the housing continuum, including market, subsidized, supported and family housing systems, including program models for special needs populations
Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization specifically related to the experience of women and children, mental health consumers and substance users, the aboriginal community, and other marginalized women
Demonstrates understanding of the systemic barriers marginalized women face in protecting their families

Family Support Worker Specialized Duties

Under the direction of the management team or designate and working closely with the Family Service Plan Coordinator, the FSW will collaborate with program participants and their children and provide a range of services: including assessment of needs, planning, linking and monitoring outcomes in a range of service delivery areas. The FSW will participate in case conferences with individual program participants if required. Attendance at bi-monthly service planning/staff meetings is optional.
The FSW provides education and prevention work including: prenatal, parenting, family preservation, mental health, substance use, physical health, sexual health (including HIV, STI’s, safer sex) violence against women, and issues that destabilize housing or impair mental health or physical health.
In consultation with the management team, the FSW will provide support to co-workers regarding application and interpretation of the Children’s, Families and Communities Services Act (CFCSA) when needed.
The FSW will support and empower program participants and their children through assisting with peer-based programming including groups, community kitchens, tenant committees, and other applicable peer-driven initiatives.
The FSW will advocate for women’s and children’s rights and needs when necessary with relevant government agencies and community services.
The FSW will perform other related duties as assigned.