POSITION INFORMATION

Job Title: Residential Support Worker (Existing Role)

Department: Homeward Bound Residence

Reports To: Team Leader, Residential Services (or designate)

Location: Homeward Bound Residence, Toronto, ON

Employment Status: Relief

Hours of Work: Hours and Days may vary depending on needs of the program (Weekdays, weekends, statutory holidays, overnights)

Salary: $22.66 to $28.84 per hour with additional shift premiums for evening, overnight, and weekend hours

Classification: A (Subject to the Collective Agreement)

Potential Start Date: August 15, 2026

Date Created/Updated: March 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

This position provides day-to-day counselling, supervision, and case support to residents of Homeward Bound Residence, a community-based program serving justice-involved men under Probation Orders, Conditional Sentence Orders, and/or Parole Certificates. The role ensures a safe, secure, and accountable living environment while supporting residents to meet court-ordered conditions, adhere to program expectations, reduce risk of recidivism, and work toward successful community reintegration through cognitive and behavioural change.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Resident Supervision & Support

- Provide responsive, shift-based support to residents, addressing immediate needs while reinforcing accountability and program expectations.
- Maintain thorough knowledge of each client’s community supervision orders as outlined by their Probation and Parole Officer.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of each resident’s identified risk, need, and responsivity factors, and incorporate this framework into daily supervision, decision-making, and interventions.
- Develop professional, goal-oriented working relationships with residents to support progress toward individualized reintegration goals, while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
- Deliver services in a way that reflects the racial, cultural, linguistic, and gender-specific needs of the community served.
- Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression frameworks in all professional interactions and service delivery.
- Remain awake, alert, and actively engaged in supervision responsibilities at all times while on shift.

B. Case Management Support

- Document all significant interactions with clients in the database, log book, or formal incident report as the situation dictates.
- Enter and maintain accurate, timely data in the agency’s client database.
- Use objective, non-judgmental language in all documentation.
- Understand that records may be used in legal, correctional, or clinical review processes.
- Complete incident/occurrence reports as required per JHST policy and procedure.
- Assume responsibility for a limited caseload at the discretion of the Team Leader.
- Administer and document medications in accordance with program policy.

C. Safety & Security

- Ensure a secure, accountable, and supportive residential environment in compliance with Society policies and procedures, particularly around confidentiality and health and safety.
- Monitor and maintain all established program procedures and policies.
- Respond appropriately to fire safety, security, and emergency situations, including crisis intervention and de-escalation.
- Make appropriate decisions based on resident supervision orders and risk factors, in compliance with Society policies and procedures.




- Demonstrate understanding of risk management and the four principles of effective intervention: risk, need, responsivity, and professional discretion.

D. Administrative Duties

- Perform administrative duties including filing, photocopying, and putting together intake packages.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with agency standards, contractual obligations, and external audits.
- Contribute to the review and revision of agency policies, procedures, and program rules as required.
- Perform other duties or assignments as assigned by the Team Leader of Residential Services or Director.

E. Professional Conduct

- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents.
- Uphold confidentiality and ethical standards.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.

F. Medication Support Responsibilities

- Observe and document resident self-administration of prescribed medication in accordance with policy.
- Maintain medication logs accurately and in real time.
- Report missed doses, irregularities, or concerns immediately to designated clinical authority.
- Store medications in secured areas following organizational and legal requirements.
- Never diagnose, prescribe, or alter medication schedules.

Training Requirements

- Medication awareness training (non-clinical).
- Privacy and documentation standards.
- Overdose recognition and emergency response (including naloxone where applicable).

Safety Considerations

- Follow infection-control procedures.
- Use PPE when required.

Do not handle sharps unless specifically trained and authorized.

G. Overnight & Awake Shift Responsibilities

- Conduct scheduled wellness and security checks.
- Monitor building safety systems and respond to alarms.
- Maintain a quiet, structured environment conducive to resident stability.
- Complete detailed overnight logs and incident reports.
- Physical & Cognitive Demands
- Ability to remain alert throughout shift hours.
- Independent decision-making with limited on-site staffing.
- Frequent walking, stair use, and environmental monitoring.

Safety Requirements

- Adhere to lone-worker protocols.
- Maintain access to emergency communication systems.
- Participate in shift check-in/check-out procedures.

4. QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

- Degree or Diploma in Social Services, Social Work, Criminology, Psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience:

- Minimum 2 years of demonstrated experience working with individuals with mental health and addiction challenges.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service systems, and referral processes.
- Experience working in residential, community supervision, or justice-involved settings preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documentation and report writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with residents.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Experience using de-escalation techniques in crisis or high-risk situations.

Certifications:





- Valid First Aid/CPR Certificate is required.
- Crisis Prevention / De-escalation Training (e.g., UMAB or CPI).
- Satisfactory completion of a criminal record and vulnerable sector background check is a required condition of employment.

5. CORE COMPETENCIES

- Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure
- Strong interpersonal and boundary-setting skills
- Observation and report-writing ability
- Cultural competency and trauma-informed practice
- Ability to manage conflict respectfully and safely
- Reliability and emotional resilience

6. WORKING CONDITIONS

- 24/7 residential environment requiring shift rotation.
- Exposure to individuals experiencing emotional distress, substance use, or behavioural challenges.
- Work performed in both office and residential living environments.
- Requirement to respond to unpredictable or emergent situations.

7. DETAILED PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANALYSIS

This role requires the ability to safely perform the following activities:

Mobility Requirements

- Frequent walking throughout the facility during supervision rounds.
- Ability to climb stairs multiple times per shift (#18 stairs).
- Standing for extended periods (up to several hours intermittently).
- Occasional rapid movement in response to emergencies.

Physical Tasks

- Ability to lift or move items up to 50 lbs (22 kg) (e.g., supplies, resident belongings).
- Occasional bending, reaching, kneeling, and crouching.
- Ability to assist in non-forceful physical guidance where safety is risk (as trained).

Sensory Demands

- Continuous situational awareness and observation of resident behaviour.
- Ability to hear verbal exchanges across busy environments.
- Reading detailed documentation and computer use for extended periods.
- Cognitive & Emotional Demands
- Sustained concentration in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to make timely decisions in stressful situations.
- Managing exposure to traumatic disclosures, emotional crises, or conflict.

8. PHYSICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

- Participate in mandatory safety training (e.g., crisis intervention, fire safety, emergency response).
- Use verbal de-escalation as the primary safety intervention.
- Follow established protocols designed to prevent physical confrontation.
- Maintain secure positioning and environmental awareness.
- Activate emergency procedures without hesitation when risk is identified.
- Work within a team-based response model to ensure no staff manage high-risk situations alone (where operationally feasible).
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) where required.
- Report hazards, incidents, and injuries immediately.

Important:
This role is not designed to include enforcement or physical restraint beyond trained, policy-authorized safety interventions.

9. PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH & SAFETY EXPECTATIONS

- Exposure to stressful and emotionally charged situations is inherent in the role.
- Employees are expected to utilize supervision, debriefing, and wellness supports.
- Participation in critical incident reviews may be required.
- Commitment to respectful workplace practices is mandatory.

10. LEGAL & POLICY COMPLIANCE

Employees must comply with:

- Organizational policies and code of conduct
- Confidentiality and privacy legislation
- Occupational Health & Safety requirements
- Human rights obligations and duty-to-accommodate principles
- Professional boundary and ethical practice standards

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📌 Residential Support Worker (Toronto)
🏢 John Howard Society of Toronto
📍 Toronto