Shelter Counsellor

Everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, supported and loved.

FearIsNotLove (the new brand evolution and operator of Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter) works to inspire and build a dignity driven movement, cultivating communities that are free from domestic violence and abuse. We serve all people to live free from fear, neglect, violence, and abuse through a comprehensive range of innovative programs and services; from prevention and education to counselling and emergency supports.

The agency plays an important role in the daily lives of individuals and families living with fear in their close relationships. In whatever way domestic violence impacts a person; whether they are a victim, someone who uses abuse and wants to change, or someone who knows another person being abused, FearIsNotLove is here to help.

Our goal is to help people to have violence-free lives, to live without fear, and get to the ultimate outcome – love. It’s what we all want and need. We are looking for people who want to be part of changing the conversation about domestic violence and abuse.

FearIsNotLove creates safe spaces. We listen, we support, we encourage and we are judgement-free. We are relentless in our commitment to our clients, our communities and each other. We believe change is possible. At our core is an uncompromising commitment to our team of talented people who believe in our mission. We believe that when people feel empowered and safe, they are able to move forward with the best decisions for them and their family.

The Shelter Counsellor supports clients residing within the shelter with day to day needs as well as safety planning, case planning, parenting support, information and referrals to community resource services that are available to support the client’s journey toward a life free of family violence and abuse. The Shelter Counsellor is also responsible for forming collaborative working relationships with other agency staff and departments, as well as external representatives of systems and programs used by our agency and clients.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Establishes and maintains a client caseload with the focus on client relationship and support.
• Utilize engagement skills to help clients to feel validated and supported, provide clients with practical and emotional supports that focus on their here-and-now needs, and assist clients in overcoming crisis.
• Focus on the client’s experience of violence and abuse, collaborate with them as they explore their responses and resistance to the violence they experienced, and assist them in identifying and deciding upon their options for the future.
• Support clients with safety planning, case planning based on the clients’ inherent strengths and resilience, parenting support, and housing including working through barriers and options to accessible housing.
• Ensure that case notes and other documentation is complete and up to date before the end of each shift
• Utilize the security and safety systems within the building to ensure client and staff safety
• Completes the Danger Assessment Lethality Tool with clients to determine level of danger to enhance the safety planning process.
• Is an advocate and maintains relationships within the agency and with external professionals to provide a support system for clients.
• Attends and participates in required committees.
• Responsible for managing risk with clients, including identifying risk to self or others, and risks of harm to children. When risk is identified, consulting with others as needed, escalating these concerns to supervisors, and following established processes and documentation.
• Completes and maintains the clients’ documentation requirements (Intake, Consent Form, Danger Assessment, Case Planning, Case Notes, Noteworthy’ s and Critical Incidents, and Discharge).
• Access response-based training and consultation as required
• Enabling clients to tell their story and share how they resisted the violence and abuse. Engage the clients in identifying their inherent strengths as they build their action plans to be free of violence and abuse.
• Able to plan, organize, and prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines. Effectively manage multiple tasks and varying workloads.
• Provide telephone support through our crisis line and ensure callers are assessed for agency programs, or provided with appropriate community resources.
• Serving food from the kitchen, letting clients into the building, providing clients with basic needs items and participating in fire drills/building safety requirements.
• Attending monthly staff meetings.
• Ensure Compliance with Accreditation Standards; Maintain current police and IRC checks, professional registration (if applicable), and required accreditation-related training (e.g., First Aid, NVCI, Indigenous, Diversity, response-based).
• Ensure client files meet accreditation standards and agency policies.
• Other duties as assigned to support FearIsNotLove’s clients and programs.

WHAT YOU BRING TO OUR MISSION:

• Diploma in Human Services or related field required.
• Degree in Human Services or related field preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of related experience required.
• 2 or more years of experience directly supporting people in crisis from domestic violence and abuse preferred.
• Knowledge of, or experience with, Allen Wade’s Response Based Practice is an asset.
• If eligible for registration with a professional body, registration must be current.
• Second language would be an asset.
• First Aid, ASIST and other certifications and ongoing training and development are a required condition of employment

IMPORTANT DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Ongoing training and development is a required condition of this position.
• A criminal records search and an intervention record check are conditions of employment.
• If eligible for registration with a professional body, registration must be current.
• In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

Apply to become part of the movement. FearIsNotLove. Be part of changing the conversation with us.

CLOSE DATE: This position will remain open until November 2, or until filled.

FearIsNotLove is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.
We encourage qualified candidates from all genders, religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply.

We thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We regret that we are unable to accept telephone inquiries.