Follow-Up Support Worker, Housing First

HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm (37.5 hours per week)

REPORTS TO: Housing First Team Lead

“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

Reporting to the Housing Choice Program Manager, the Follow Up Support Worker manages a caseload of previously homeless individuals and/or families to maintain their housing by supporting them in accessing community resources and services to meet both their basic and complex needs. The Follow Up Support Worker will work in partnership with the landlord and other agencies as necessary to ensure a coordination of services.

As part of Alberta’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness and in collaboration with Homeward Trust Edmonton, the Follow-Up Support Worker serves as a vital member of Boyle Street Community Services’ Housing First team. The Housing First program provides a twelve-month intensive case management approach designed to support individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness and facing multiple barriers to securing permanent housing.

The purpose of this role is to help these individuals maintain their housing status once they obtain a degree of independency. The FSW is responsible for helping clients access services and programs that help their short-term and long-term needs. The FSW should engage routinely with clients to ensure their needs and interests are being met by the services provided while also fostering an environment for clients to harness skills and habits that will aid in the betterment of their quality of life.

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want – a constant and consistent caring force.”

Position Responsibilities

Program Supports

1. Deliver and maintain the Housing First program under BSCS core values.
2. Build rapport with participants to be able to build a strength-based, person-centred case plan.
3. Carry a caseload of up to 20 participants.
4. With the participant, assess barriers and needs to identify supports and resources needed for the success of the participant in the program.
5. Support and advocate with participants for medical, legal, financial appointments, referrals, and transportation.
6. Coordinate referrals to community support services, such as employment supports, home care, mental health care, treatment & recovery facilities, Children & Family Services, etc. as and when needed.
7. Develop a crisis plan with the participant.
8. Support participants in building skills in personal hygiene and household maintenance.
9. Maintain monthly contact with landlords and build skills with participants to have positive interactions with their landlord and/or resident manager.

Administration

1. Maintain detailed case notes that are entered within 48 hours of interactions.
2. Carry out assessments every 3 months, in addition to other program-related administration.
3. Ensure all relevant documents are up to date and uploaded to Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
4. Ensure all financial documents are filled completely and accurately on time and to be approved by leadership.

Miscellaneous

1. Provide overdose, crisis intervention, and de-escalation tactics as required.
2. Assist in providing short-term housing supports with BSCS partners.
3. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Team Lead and/or Manager.
4. BSCS is more than a workplace. It is a community where everyone helps and contributes to the whole, and there is an expectation that all employees will take part in events (during the work week and occasionally during weekends and evenings). This includes fundraising campaigns, running community meals, medicine picking, etc.

Qualifications

1. Valid class 5 license and reliable vehicle as local travel is required.
2. Post-Secondary degree in a relevant field (Human Services, Social Sciences or Social Work) and/or relevant work experience.
3. Some experience in human services, or in the inner-city area preferred.
4. Police Check with the Vulnerable Sector and Child and Youth Intervention Check completed within the past six months.
5. Valid First Aid certificate or enrolled in a future course.
6. Experience with and knowledge of Indigenous culture and ceremonies is considered an asset.

Why Work for Boyle?

1. All work done positively impacts the community and its members!
2. Access to Lumino Health, including Stress & Wellness support.
3. Employee activities and events throughout the year.
4. Various training initiatives and development opportunities.

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our clients.

Clients, staff, and partners are vital members of the Boyle Street team, so we place emphasis on making sure that we address each other correctly by using preferred pronouns. We invite you to let us know how to properly refer to you and your pronouns as you explore finding a professional home with us.

The health and safety of our clients and staff is of the utmost importance to our organization. Per Boyle Street's COVID-19 policy, all new hires are required to be fully vaccinated with the third booster dose. Proof of full vaccination by means of immunization records from AHS, letter from a physician, or other health care provider is required prior to starting with BSCS.

Boyle Street Community Services aims to foster a work environment that is rich with Indigenous culture, teachings, ceremonies, and activities- as a reflection of the communities we serve and the land we reside upon.

Boyle Street Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. Boyle Street Community Services welcomes applications from First Nation, Inuit, Métis, New Canadian, differently abled, and LGBTQ2S communities.