Overview

Herizon House is a 30-bed emergency shelter supporting women and children leaving abusive relationships. We provide crisis intervention counselling, emergency shelter, housing & legal support, outreach services, and child and family programs.

Join our team and make a meaningful difference in the lives of women and children. In this role, you will provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to children living in the shelter, helping them rebuild safety, stability, and confidence. We are seeking a dedicated professional with a degree or diploma in Social Services, Child and Youth Work, Child Development, or a related field, along with experience supporting children who have witnessed abuse.

You will work alongside women to strengthen parenting skills following experiences of violence, while providing children with opportunities for healing, connection, and resilience. Through a family-centred, trauma-informed approach, you will help support the well-being and recovery of the whole family.

Required Skills

- ·Thorough knowledge of the impacts on children exposed to woman abuse.
- Children’s play therapy experience an asset
- Awareness and understanding with the diversity in parenting skills and styles, showing a consistent non-judgmental approach that is client-centred
- Non-judgmental and feminist approach in working with mothers and children
- Thorough knowledge of the systemic barriers women with children may be facing, in particular those involved or past involvement with the Children’s Aid Society
- Strong advocacy skills while maintaining a professional approach
- Proven violence intervention skills with women and their children




- Ability to run child witness groups and parenting groups for abused women
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with co-workers and professionals involved in the case management process
- Able to give and receive feedback
- Highly skilled and proven ability to manage crisis situations that arise in communal environment and with individual clients

Responsibilities:

- Conduct intakes and assessments with mother and child/ren and establish goals.
- Assess for potential child protection concerns
- Provides advocacy with other agencies supporting the family with an emphasis on the child
- Develop, implement and facilitate summer programming that is age appropriate for the various ages of children/youth in shelter
- Provide appropriate resources and referrals
- Empower and educate mothers, children and youth on the effects of witnessing violence
- Support mothers, children and youth with individualized safety plans
- Provide childcare when necessary to support a mother’s transition
- Develop, plan and organize special events and programs for women and children in shelter
- Safety planning with children and mothers
- Support the daily routine of the shelter
- Work collaboratively with the team and support the shelter as needed
- Build rapport with families
- Support the daily routine of the shelter
- Assess and address needs and concerns





Qualifications:

- Minimum: Diploma/Degree in Child and Youth and/or Social Services with related experience working with children.
- Proven education/training and experience on the issue of gendered based violence and violence against women and children.
- Knowledge of the psychological, social, and emotional impacts of gender-based violence & abuse on children, youth, and mothers.
- Grounded in a trauma-informed, feminist, and non-judgmental approach to supporting mothers and children navigating shelter environments and systemic barriers.
- Proven experience with Feminist Philosophy in Counselling
- Understanding of childhood developmental milestones and the specific disruptions caused by exposure to abuse.
- Crisis Intervention Experience
- Current CPR & First Aid
- Current Police Check with Vulnerable Persons check
- Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle is an asset.

This is a CUPE unionized environment. Herizon House is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. We will provide accommodations to applicants upon request at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants who require accommodation should contact us and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Pay: From $25.43 per hour

Advantages

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Work Location: In person

📌 Child and Family Counsellor (Ajax)
🏢 Violence Prevention Coordinating Council of Durham
📍 Ajax