Community Living Wallaceburg (CLW) is a proud and progressive organization that provides a wide range of accommodation and community-based support to over 450 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Chatham-Kent. We are dedicated to delivering services that empower people to live the lives they choose, within inclusive and supportive communities. We are seeking compassionate, reliable, and professional individuals to join our team of Casual Direct Support Professionals. In this role, you will provide person-centered service to individuals with developmental disabilities, empowering them to live full, meaningful lives.
Responsibilities
Direct Care & Daily Living Services:
- Assist individuals with personal care needs including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, hygiene, and menstruation where applicable.
- Support individuals with mealtime routines, including meal preparation, adaptive feeding strategies, and dietary restrictions.
- Provide physical assistance with mobility, transfers, and use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, or lifts, following safe lifting procedures and individual support plans.
Medical Support & Health Monitoring:
- Administer prescribed medications safely and accurately in accordance with agency policy and Ministry guidelines (upon completion of internal medication administration training).
- Monitor and document health conditions, changes in behaviour, and medication side effects; report concerns to appropriate supervisory or medical personnel.
- Provide basic first aid as required and respond to medical emergencies following agency protocols.
- Support the implementation of specialized medical or therapeutic protocols (e.g. catheter care, G-tube feeding, oxygen therapy) when applicable and trained to do so.
- Assist with scheduling, attending, and/or following up on medical, dental, or specialist appointments, including documentation and communication with the team.
Behavioural Support & Crisis Prevention:
- Support individuals using proactive, person-centered strategies aligned with their behaviour support plans (BSPs).
- Foster positive behaviours and skill-building strategies to enhance quality of life.
- Respond effectively to behavioural escalation using approved safety interventions and de-escalation techniques.
- Document behavioural observations, antecedents, interventions, and outcomes in a respectful manner using clear and objective language.
- Participate in regular debriefs and team meetings to ensure consistent support practices.
- Promote emotional regulation, informed choice and decision-making, and coping strategies tailored to each individual’s communication and sensory needs.
Skill Development & Community Engagement:
- Encourage and assist individuals in developing daily living skills such as budgeting, meal planning, laundry, personal safety, and transit use.
- Facilitate participation in social, recreational, and community-based activities that reflect each person’s interests and personal goals.
- Promote inclusion, dignity, and independence in all aspects of support by honoring each individual’s values, choices, and cultural identity.
- Provide support in volunteer placements & employment settings as applicable.
Documentation & Communication:
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation of daily logs, incident reports, health data, financial tracking, medication records and behaviour charts.
- Communicate effectively with individuals, families, team members, and external professionals to coordinate consistent, quality support.
- Use secure communication tools and adhere to confidentiality and privacy regulations.
Team Collaboration & Professionalism:
- Work collaboratively to meet the needs of the individuals in service.
- Attend mandatory training sessions, team meetings, and performance reviews as scheduled.
- Uphold the agency’s mission, vision, values and person-directed strategies in all duties.
Health & Safety:
- Adhere to all agency health and safety policies, procedures, and legislative requirements (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System).
- Identify and report potential hazards, maintenance issues, or safety concerns promptly.
- Follow safe work practices, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
- Implement infection prevention and control measures, including hand hygiene and sanitation practices.
- Participate in required health and safety training and refresher training (e.g. first aid/CPR, safe management, fit testing).
- Support fire safety and emergency preparedness by conducting and participating in drills as required.
Other Duties as Assigned:
- Perform additional responsibilities and tasks, as required, to service the needs of individuals and support the operations of the organization. Duties may vary based on program requirements, staffing needs, and organizational priorities.
CORE COMPETENCIES
CLW incorporates the core competencies for the Developmental Services Sector in Ontario into all aspects of service delivery. These competencies guide how staff interact with the people we support, their families, coworkers, and community partners. As an employee of CLW, you are expected to demonstrate these competencies in your daily work, ensuring services are person-directed, respectful, and inclusive. They reflect the knowledge, skills, and attributes essential for success in this role and include:
- Fostering Independence in Others
- Initiative
- Creative Problem Solving
- Collaboration
- Interpersonal Relations and Respect
- Advocate for Others
- Resilience
Qualifications
Education:
- Highschool diploma or equivalent.
- Completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree in Developmental Services or a related human services field preferred.
Experience:
- Relevant experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities is an asset.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Commitment to person-directed, inclusive support practices.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Problem-solving, flexibility, and adaptability in dynamic environments.
- Professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct.
Requirements:
- Legally authorized to work in Canada at all times.
- Valid Ontario Driver’s License (G class).
- Personal reliable vehicle to drive self & individual(s) supported.
- Vehicle Insurance with a minimum of $1 million liability.
- Functioning and active smart phone for communication purposes.
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).
- Standard First Aid/CPR certification (Provided by Agency).
- Safe Management certification (Provided by Agency).
- N95 Respirator Fit Testing (Provided by Agency).
- Availability to work a variety of shifts, including days, evenings, weekends, overnights and holidays.
Considerations:
- Many individuals in service own domestic pets such as cats, dogs, fish, birds, and small mammals. Applicants should be comfortable working in pet-friendly environments.
Job Type: Casual
Pay: $26.88 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Tuition reimbursement
- Wellness program
Experience:
- Working with persons with developmental disabilities: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Class G Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
