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

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. Skilled 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 safe 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 (Ontario)
🏢 John Howard Society of Toronto
📍 Ontario