At Margaret’s Housing & Community Support Services Inc., our mission is to provide a continuum of housing and support services for individuals who struggle with addiction, substance abuse, and mental health challenges through an array of innovative programs, advocacy, and education which empowers individuals to build and reclaim their lives.

Margaret’s hosts a collaborative work environment, built of employees who share our core values of being compassionate, respectful, and innovative and strongly believe in empowering and providing support to vulnerable individuals in need. We support open communication and strongly encourage employees to take a direct, hands-on approach to their work as part of a team that plays an instrumental role in providing support services to our clients. Located in Toronto, we have multiple sites in the downtown core. We are committed to working within an anti-oppressive and client-centered recovery framework.

Job Summary:

Margaret’s Mental Health & Justice Program provides holistic support services to and advocacy for individuals experiencing mental health & addictions challenges while they are incarcerated and/or as they are leaving the criminal justice system.

The Mental Health & Justice Case Worker, under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Justice Programs & Services will be responsible to maintain a caseload of a minimum of 25 individuals, providing intensive individual assistance and advocacy for individuals navigating the intersections of mental health challenges and involvement with the justice system. The position requires a compassionate, empathetic individual with a strong understanding of mental health issues, social justice, and community resources. The Case Worker will work closely with clients to assess their needs, develop personalized support plans, and facilitate access to relevant services and resources to promote their well-being and successful reintegration into the community and acquire housing. The incumbent will also be required to provide case management services within the Toronto South Detention Centre.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct comprehensive needs and risk assessments for clients referred to the Mental Health & Justice Program

• Engage individuals in developing individualized treatment plans with short and long-term goals and identifying support systems

• Maintain a friendly and professional conduct to establish rapport with clients and conduct frequent check-ins, in-person and/or over the phone/virtually

• Ensure client confidentiality is upheld at all times and clients are aware of their rights to confidentiality and providing informed consent

• Monitor and ensure compliance with all legal conditions including program requirements and treatment plans

• Monitor and evaluate clients' progress, adjusting treatment plans as needed to address evolving needs and challenges

• Provide pre-diversion, diversion, release planning, and court supports to individuals who are living with chronic and persistent mental illness and may be at risk of incarceration, or are currently or have previously been incarcerated

o Mental Health Pre-Diversion: provide meaningful intervention at a critical time to individuals of 16+ age who do not have a prior criminal record and need pre-diversion services to prevent them from entering the justice system

o Mental Health Diversion: assisting individuals of 18+ age who have been charged with an offence but approved for diversion by the Crown Attorney, and require diversion services

o Court Release Planning: assisting individuals of 16+ age who are incarcerated and have requested assistance in navigating services upon release

o Court Support: assisting individuals of 16+ age who have been charged with an offence, but have been released from custody planning, and require support navigating the criminal justice system

• Advocate on behalf of clients within the justice system, ensuring their rights are upheld and their voices are heard

• Act as a liaison between clients and legal professionals, providing support during court proceedings and advocating for alternative sentencing options, when appropriate

• Collaborate with community partners and stakeholders to address systemic barriers to mental health care and justice reform initiatives

• Refer clients to internal and external agency services, and assist clients in navigating through complex systems, including but not limited to the criminal justice system and locating and utilizing community resources including:

o legal, medical and financial assistance,

o housing,

o employment,

o transportation,

o day care and

o other services, as necessary

• Facilitate programming for life skills, personal growth, and recovery for designated clients

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records, documenting all interactions, assessments, and progress towards goals in keeping with organization’s policies and procedures

• Prepare reports, evaluations, correspondence and other documents relating to the individuals’ participation and compliance with required and recommended programming

• Work collaboratively with other members of the organization's multidisciplinary team, including social workers, counselors, and case managers, to provide comprehensive support to clients

• Liaise with internal and external agency stakeholders, including but not limited to agency personnel, Justice System personnel, clients’ family, and participate in team meetings and case conferences

• Implement Program Evaluation and Client Satisfaction Surveys

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key partners, supports, and community agencies

• Attend networking committees and participate in agency events as required

• Recordkeeping and data organization to keep track of program statistics and reporting to fulfill organizational and funder requirements

• Maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research

• Perform other tasks and duties as required

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling or a related field is required. Equivalent work experience may supplement other qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a similar role, preferably within the mental health & addictions and/or justice sector required

• Must have demonstrated experience providing culturally competent and holistic supports to individuals experiencing mental health & addictions issues

• Must have demonstrated experience providing clients services that reflects a good understanding of mental health disorders, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented, anti-oppressive, and client-centered practices

• Familiarity with and experience assisting clients navigate the justice system strongly preferred that reflects a good understanding of mental illness, its impacts, and how it intersects with involvement in the Criminal Justice System

• Good knowledge and understanding of the harm reduction principles, the recovery model, anti-oppression framework, trauma and trauma-informed care, and familiarity with issues affecting LGBTQ+ and other diverse communities required

• Strong ability to maintain client confidentiality and professional boundaries and respect client privacy and autonomy required

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required

• Excellent interpersonal and advocacy skills required

• Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively with internal and external agency team members and stakeholders required

• Good knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures related to mental health and justice systems in Ontario strongly preferred

• Great skills in assessment, crisis management and case management strongly preferred

• Great applied computer skills strongly preferred

• Familiarity with case management software and conducting client assessments (such as OCANs) preferred

• Must have good knowledge of existing client resources and services in the GTA

• Must be able to work flexible hours to provide crisis support to clients
• Ability to fluently speak French or another language a strong asset
• Valid First Aid & CPR training and other job-related training an asset

Special Requirements:

• Criminal background check required

• Willingness and ability to travel within designated community areas to provide client service

• Must be willing to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, as required

Working Conditions:

• Working in a designated office space and community areas

• Frequent interaction with individuals/families/residents in a community

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent communication with clients entails going into the community to meet with clients, depending on environmental conditions

• Office work of data entry and reporting requires frequent typing