Counsellor - Hamilton, Canada - Beginnings Family Services

Description

Title:
Counsellor


Hours:
Variable per case


Location:
Across Ontario, must be able to drive to various locations


Charity Description:

Beginnings Family Services is a not-for-profit organization that provides counselling and support to expectant parents experiencing unplanned pregnancies and assists people wishing to grow their families through adoption and embryo services.

Counselling:

Beginnings provides counselling services to expectant parents and families in crisis across Ontario, to ensure they have access to information, referrals, community connections, parenting resources, and ongoing support as they make decisions about the future of their family.

Adoption:

Beginnings is a licensed adoption agency.

We facilitate open adoptions throughout the province of Ontario, working together with birth families and adoptive families to provide support and guidance every step of the way.

Embryo Donor/Recipient Program:

Beginnings connects individuals choosing to donate their embryos with recipient families hoping to grow their family.

Our history and expertise in bringing families together has forged the way for our national open embryo program, the only one of its kind in Canada.

Job Summary:

At Beginnings Family Services, our clinical team provides counselling and support to expectant parents, their partners, and families across Ontario who are in crisis and facing difficult decisions about their future.

Using a trauma-informed approach, our counselling services focus on providing compassionate care and ensuring people have access to information, resources and support, in their decision making, empowering individuals to develop a plan that is right for them.

We are looking to grow our team The counsellor role at Beginnings offers flexibility for those who are interested in working in the helping profession on a part-time basis, or who are looking to supplement other work.

We are seeking counsellors who are available to work flexible hours, days, evenings, and weekends. This role provides autonomy by working from home.

Many of our requests come from hospitals or individuals in crisis and require us to be available on short notice.

Our counsellors work closely with the Beginnings team to support the unique needs of each situation, participating in mentorship, case review, case coordination, and supervision.

Duties and Responsibilities:

On a case-by-case basis, provide counselling services to expectant/birth parents, their partners, and families.

Provide support in complex areas such as mental health, safety planning, options and decision making, parenting, adoption, grief and loss, openness in adoption, etc.

Supporting individuals and families includes:

• Providing counselling and information for individuals considering all their options in making decisions about an unexpected pregnancy.
• Connecting under resourced families with community services and support, and actively engaging with outside agencies to bridge services for clients.
• When expectant parents or birth parents are considering making an adoption plan for their unborn or newborn child, provide stepbystep counselling support and guidance throughout the process.
• Attending hospital, legal appointments, family meetings, staff meetings, etc.
• Preparing case notes, required Ministry reports, etc.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements:

• Bachelors or Masters Degree in Social Work or equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity, and expertise, in the area of pregnancy, parenting and adoption.
• Superior skills in advocating on behalf of vulnerable individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.
• Selfmotivated and able to manage a varied caseload.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Excellent organizational, problemsolving, decisionmaking, and critical thinking abilities.
• Current working knowledge of relevant legislation including the Child, Youth, and Family Services Act.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning.
• Current Vulnerable Sector Check with Police Clearance and Child Welfare check.

-
Please submit resume with cover letter specific to this position to:_


Job Types:
Part-time, Fixed term contract

Part-time hours: 0-10 per week


Schedule:

• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Work Location:
On the road