School Counsellor

Abiona Centre (“the Centre”) is an award-winning, accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre that is a multi-service, non-profit, unionized, community agency located in the east end of Toronto.  The Centre is committed to nurturing empowerment, independence and growth for young pregnant and parenting women, children and families in a non-judgmental, inclusive environment by providing a residential care and treatment program; supportive transitional housing; on-site high school program, community housing support and referral services; and maternal infant mental health programs and services. We do this by working collaboratively as a multi-disciplinary team with community partners to provide holistic programs and support that respond to mental health, education and transitional needs. The Centre also operates an EarlyON Child and Family Centre and an Early Learning Centre.  All the programs and services are open to families, young women and their children living in the broader community.

The School Counsellor will provide programs and services to students enrolled in the Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP), clients living in the Residential and Transitional Housing Programs, and adolescent parents living in the community. The School Counsellor will provide community resources, information and referrals and support these clients to achieve their education and related goals.

As a member of the multi-disciplinary team, the School Counsellor will focus on ECPP, information and referral, conduct therapeutic, educational programming, individual, group and family counselling, and contribute to the overall functioning, goals, objectives and outcomes of the program.

Position:  School Counsellor

Term:  Permanent Full-time

Rate of Pay:  $44,030 per annum

Department:  Community Programs

Reports to:  Supervisor, Community Programs

Qualification:

• Child and Youth Worker diploma or related Bachelor’s degree
• Current Standard First Aid, CPR and CPI
• At least 3 years’ experience working in a community-based organization that supports the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Experience working with high-risk families, especially adolescent parents and their children, and families with complex physical and mental health challenges
• Knowledge of ECPP and Harm Reduction
• Ability to respond to and support young families with mental health needs and addictions
• Experience supporting young families both individually and in group setting
• Ability to work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent knowledge of community resources related to adolescent parents and their children
• Good oral, written and presentation skills
• Bilingualism (French and English) is an asset
• Proficient with word processing, data collection systems and email software

Working Condition:

• Physical demands – lifting, walking, climbing stairways, bending, carrying items as required by program needs
• Occasional travel to meetings and appointments with clients.
• Flexibility to adjust working hours to accommodate program and service requirements
• Provide backup in the absence other School Counsellors or Community Workers

Closing Date:  May 30, 2023; 5:00 p.m.

The Centre offers a dynamic work environment and career advancement opportunities. The successful candidate must have a negative criminal reference check and vulnerable sector screening as a condition of employment.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Centre’s Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Please make your needs known in advance.

The Centre encourages applications from persons who represent the diverse populations we serve.

Qualified applicants should send their cover letter and resume by the closing date to:

Human Resources

Abiona Centre

1102 Broadview Avenue

Toronto, ON M4K 2S5

Fax: 416-425-4056

OR

Email: hr@abionacentre.ca (please quote “School Counsellor” in the subject line)

We thank all applicants, however, only those we select for interview will be contacted.