RELIEF & PART TIME Direct Care Practitioners in 24 Hour Services
www.valoraplace.ca
Direct Care Practitioners at a Glance
Direct Care Practitioners work in our 24-Hour Services delivered through our Community Help Line, Drop-In Support Program, and Emergency Shelter.
Awake night shifts and working weekends are required. Shifts also include days and afternoons.
The focus of work is safety: identifying and addressing the risks posed by abuse and supporting each woman in mitigating the effects of harm they have experienced. This includes provision of immediate, responsive, accountable, and compassionate care and emotional support; moment-to-moment risk assessment; safety planning; connection and advocacy; crisis intervention when needed; and steady attention to the Emergency Shelter communal living environment.
Pay: Starts at $28 per hour plus 6% vacation pay.
Location: St. Thomas, Ontario. Work is on site.
Note: This is not a Personal Support Worker position.
About Valora Place
Valora Place (formerly Violence Against Women Services Elgin County) is a compassionate community - rooted in what is possible together.
We work in service of women and their children who have experienced harm, coercion, and control in their close relationships as they pursue their hopes for safer lives. We also work together with our community to foster the social change necessary for equity to thrive and gender-based violence to cease.
Our work unfolds through a Circle of Care including 24 Hour Services, Community Care Programs, and Community Engagement Initiatives. 24 Hour Services are where safety begins, providing immediate care and support for women and children as they navigate risk, uncertainty, and the effects of harm.
About the Role
Valora Place is seeking dedicated, skilled, and compassionate Direct Care Practitioners with a strong desire and ability to build and maintain thoughtful working relationships with women we walk beside.
Key Responsibilities
As a Direct Care Practitioner, you will:
- Build working relationships of connection and trust
- Undertake ongoing dynamic risk assessment
- Facilitate safety planning
- Provide steady emotional support, responsive presence, and crisis intervention when needed
- Provide information, practical assistance, connection and advocacy as women navigate services, systems, and next steps.
- Share information and resources with people who reach out looking for ways to support someone experiencing abuse.
- Maintain a steady communal living environment within the Emergency Shelter attending to day-to-day needs and addressing concerns as they arise.
- Maintain clear and timely documentationof care provided, risks identified and assessed, safety planning completed, significant events, and follow-up required to support continuity of accountable care across our 24-Hour Services.
- Maintain a trauma-informed environment that is confidential, secure, clean, organized, and always ready to welcome the next mighty soul who calls or walks through our door.
Given the nature of 24-hour service delivery, the ability to work flexible hours is required. A night shift premium is paid for overnight work. Scheduled shifts and call-in shifts are also required to ensure continuity of care. A pay rate of time and a half applies to eligible unscheduled call-in shifts.
What You Bring
You’ll bring empathy, compassion, and discernment along with strong relational skills. You’ll also need:
- Understanding of the societal issue of gender-based violence and the effects of coercion and control in the day-to-day lives of women and children.
- Alignment with the values, framework, purpose, and vision of Valora Place.
- Strong interpersonal skills necessary for in person care, phone-based support, and effective teamwork.
- Sound judgement and demonstrated ability to identify and assess risk, facilitate safety planning, provide emotional support, and respond effectively in complex or crisis situations.
- Ability to notice patterns and shifts in risk, emotional state, behaviour and circumstances, and provide proactive care.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to support teamwork, documentation, and accountable care within a 24-hour service delivery model.
- Ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with care and attention to boundaries, discretion, and safety.
- A nimble spirit with the flexibility and problem-solving capacities required to identify and adapt to evolving priorities in a 24-hour care setting while maintaining a steady, open, and composed presence.
- Curiosity, reflection, and commitment to ongoing learning and growth.
- Commitment to fostering a hope-centered and collaborative workplace.
- Post-secondary education in social services, social work, or related field.
- Related work experience that demonstrates strong relational and safety focused practice.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Additional requirements include the ability to lift 30lbs, current and clear Criminal Reference Check and Vulnerable Persons Screen, CPR/First Aid certification, and daily access to reliable transportation.
Our Commitment to You
To support and sustain our mighty team, Valora Place offers:
- An Employee & Family Assistance Plan at no cost
- Support for skill development and career growth.
- Opportunities to celebrate our work together
Next Step
This opportunity will be open for a minimum of five business days from the date of posting. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Thank you for your interest in Valora Place. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Pay: From $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
