Summary

As a Residential Support Worker at St Mary's Home, you will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive support to residents, ensuring their successful integration into parenting programs and fostering positive parent-infant interactions. From completing admission paperwork to organizing engaging programs, your commitment to safety, support, and community collaboration will contribute to the well-being of both residents and their infants in our dynamic residential setting.

Description

Position Title: Residential Support Worker (F/T, P/T or Relief) 

Reports to: Residence Manager 

About us 

St. Mary’s Home (SMH) is a not-for-profit charitable organization providing specialized residential and community support services to marginalized young pregnant women (ages 12-25), young parents and their children. The approach is holistic, grounded in a strong commitment to strengthen and build upon the personal resilience of each individual. 

Position Summary:  

  • Welcome and orient new resident/participant to the residence 

  • Complete intake and admission paperwork  

  • Review and update all participant casefiles, appointments, weekly goals 

  • Complete Housing Application submissions 

  • Responsible to ensure participant engagement in Parenting Readiness and Parenting Programs 

  • Collaborate with case-manager to ensure Parenting Service Plans are completed Support and monitor participants in achieving all goals within the Parenting Service Plan 

  • Support participants to develop a Birth Plan a month prior to due date 

  • Develop frequent formal and informal programs for participants to engage in at the residence: e.g. personal care, maintenance, independent living, baby care, cooking skills, games, crafts etc. 

  • Primarily work as parent support on the “floor” during assigned shifts 

  • Support participants in integrating the Parenting Readiness and Parenting Program daily 

  • Actively promote positive parent-infant interactions; including parent-infant play and attachment  

  • Provide breast-feeding support to participants 

  • Support participants to develop a routine for themselves and their infant/s as well as positive residential dynamics 

  • Support and assist participants with applying/practicing basic baby care skills that promote their babies’ health, safety, and development 

  • Respond to parent conflicts and provides conflict resolution as needed 

  • Make referrals to case-manager, SMH centre support staff and/or other community agencies 

  • Assist with meal preparations as required 

  • Responsible for the immediate safety of the participants, babies, staff and building: conduct building checks, report anomalies and potential safety concerns as per protocol 

  • Responsible to ensure that the residence and bedrooms always meet Fire, Health, and Safety Standards  

  • Responsible for completing full disinfecting and cleaning rotation as per schedule or as needs require 

  • Always implement SMH on-call procedure guidelines, and communicate with SMH On-Call as directed in policy and alert the necessary authorities in the event of a health, safety, or security issues at the residence 

  • Dispense medication as per policy and procedures of SMH as required 

  • Demonstrate understanding and apply and uphold all St Mary's Home and Residential Policies and Procedures 

  • Responsible for the completion of all admission and discharge parent documentation 

  • Complete shift tasks, shift changes and case review as required 

  • Responsible for bed linen laundry, overseeing linens, sorting donations and gifts 

  • Participate in all agency meetings and agency training opportunities when required 

  • Support and contribute to positive staff team function 

  • Support integrative approach to parent services between the Residence and Young Parent Outreach Centre and with external agency service partners and community agencies 

  • Additional duties as assigned by SMH as required 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS 

Required Knowledge and Skills: 

  • Understanding of: 
    • Needs of pregnant and parenting youth, barriers and risk factors that impact on life choices, e.g. violence, abuse, addictions, self-harm 
    • Pregnancy, and parenting; especially care of infants
    • Community services and resources available to support and address needs identified by participants 

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 

  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a team 

  • Teaching and modeling appropriate behavior, communication, and life skills 

  • Working as part of a team to ensure consistent supports and services to young women and their babies 

  • Experience working within a residential 24/7 operation is an asset 

  • Certificate and applied knowledge of Crisis Prevention Intervention would be an asset 

  • Knowledge of Infant Mental Health and Attachment is a strong asset 

Personal Suitability: 

  • Compassion, enthusiasm, and the ability to take initiative 

  • Self-motivation, dependability, and flexibility 

  • Sensitive to the needs of participants who come from diverse backgrounds 

Experience: 

  • Child and Youth Work Diploma or Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent work experience 

  • 2 years of progressive experience working with at risk youth, mental health, family violence, trauma and infant mental health 

  • Experience working in a Residential Setting is an asset 

Job Types: 

  • Part-time 

  • Full-time 

  • Relief  

Benefits: 

  • Casual dress 

  • On-site parking 

  • Paid time off 

  • Full-time positions include extended benefit package 

Language Requirement: 

  • English required 

  • French is a strong asset 

Schedule: 

  • Various shifts and schedules available which include: 

  • 4, 8, or 12-hour shifts 

  • Day shifts 

  • Weekends and/or overnight shifts 

COVID-19 considerations: 

  • Covid-19 immunization is mandated in the sector 

​​​​​​​Work Location:  

  • In person