Life Skills Specialist (One Year Contract)

Summary

To provide direct hands-on life skill training to persons with a developmental disability and teach them to develop skills for independent living. Provide Life Skills training through one-to-one interaction or in a group setting. Life skills training and support aims to promote, independence, self-management, and self-reliance. Life skills training and support covers three broad categories:

1) Core or basic skills (i.e., personal hygiene, health & wellness, numeracy, literacy);

2) Independent living skills (i.e., managing a household, budgeting, booking and attending appointments, dealing with correspondence); and,

3) Social skills (i.e., interpersonal skills, managing disagreements or disputes, developing self-confidence, and build social networks).

The position provides flexible, mobile and responsive support and engages with people whenever the need arises, whatever their situation, wherever they are in community, and wherever they are within the continuum of service.

Conditions of Employment:

Possession of a valid driver's license, use of a vehicle and appropriate insurance coverage is a condition of employment. The Life Skills Specialist must be available to work every second Saturday for approximately 4 hours. Equal time away will be given between Monday and Friday, between 8:30am and 4:30 pm, within the same week .Successful completion of a Criminal Records Check, Conflict of Interest declaration and Oath of Confidentiality is a condition of employment.

Responsibilities:

A. General Support

· Provided direct outreach and engagement in home and community.

· Assist people with navigating community resources and services.

· Help people make formal and informal connections and referrals.

· Attend all team meetings and individual meetings with the Program Supervisor.

· Assist with creating a work schedule based on client and program needs.

B. Life Skills Training

· Using a flexible and proactive approach, provide direct hands-on assistance to teach people the skills necessary for them to achieve their personal goals.

· Plan and implement activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs of people. Activities may include healthy peer interactions, one-to-one support or group facilitation.

· Help people to explore a broad range of experience that meet their personal goals and needs.

· Identify needs and trends for Life Skills training opportunities.

· Promote interdependence which leads to self-reliance and sustainability.

· Encourage adaptability and resourcefulness to assist people with accessing community services relevant to their situation.

· Create resources and tools that could assist people with learning.

· Create opportunities for learning that are inclusive, involve people supported and other service sectors.

· Help people identify their Life Skills training goal. Ensure goals are specific, measurable, attainable, and relevant to the person. Track and record progress to achieving goals.

C. Community Capacity Development & Networking

· Develop community partnerships with the goal of improving independence and inclusion, increasing community capacity, decreasing barriers, and providing more opportunities for people.

· Develop and facilitate opportunities for people to enhance their skills and build connections within their community.

· Encourage and support individuals to develop relationships and natural networks or enhance existing positive networks of support.

D. Communication

· Communicate securely and confidentially with people receiving service, including their networks of support.

· Communication with people receiving service will be clear, appropriate, respectful considering the goals, limitations, and boundaries of the helping relationship.

· Maintain excellent daily communication with team members and Supervisor.

· Respond to phone calls, messages, and emails in a timely manner.

E. Data Collection

· Collect and track data that will be used to develop material for presentations and general education.

· Maintain up-to-date client document outlining daily interaction with individuals in service using a client information database.

F. Team Work

· Cultivate a team environment that is flexible and responsive.

· Develop and maintain a supportive working relationship with other LCC program staff and the community.

· Contribute to the vision, goals and objectives of LCC programs and services.

· Identify trends, improvements and best practices in an effort to better meet the needs of adults with a developmental disability.

Expectations:

The expectations of the responsibilities for this position are contained in the LSS’s personal tactical plan.

The LSS is also expected to adhere to the following standards:

- Maintain current and concise records of all interactions with clients.
- Participate in the statistical collection of data or the completion of forms as it pertains to the services being provided.
- Attend regularly scheduled meetings with the Program Supervisor.
- In co-operation with other staff, maintain security of all confidential information – written and verbal.
- Be respectful of and contribute to the promotion of the philosophy, aims and objectives of Lutheran Community Care to the community at large.
- Model and promulgate the organization’s values and the values of affirmation, involvement and servant leadership.
- Co-operate with other service providers in order to enhance service delivery to individuals and families.
- Adhere to the code of ethics and standards of practice of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Accountabilities:

Accountability in this relationship is mutual. The Program Supervisor is accountable to the LSS for providing the authorization, resources, affirmation, involvement and servant leadership required for the successful realization of the responsibilities of the position.

The LSS is accountable to the Program Supervisor for performance with respect to the negotiated expectations and for compliance with the limitations of authority of the position.

The components of this working relationship shall be reviewed annually at the initiation of the Program Supervisor and shall include a:

· Review of the authorization and resources provided and values expressed to the LSS.

· Review of the LSS performance toward expectations of the responsibilities of the relationship including the progress towards the LSS personal tactical goals

· Negotiation of tactical goals and other expectations for the next year

· Review of the authorization and resources required for the next year, including plans for professional development

Qualifications:

Social Work Degree, Social Service Worker Diploma or a degree or diploma in an acceptable related discipline. Experience in and knowledge of services to individuals with a developmental disability or a combination of education and experience, is required. Familiarity with other community sectors and services. Demonstrated aptitude for broad exploration of new and unique means of attaining goals. Demonstrated ability to relate to individuals with a developmental disability with sensitivity and respect. Ability to initiate the helping process with a wide variety of individuals, work co-operatively and effectively with other professionals and organize self to respond to high work demands is required. Intermediate knowledge of personal computer operation including word processing, data entry, and file management required. Excellent written, verbal communication, and conflict resolution skills are required. Ability to speak French will be considered an asset.

Start Date: As soon as suitable candidate is found

Job Type: Contract

Salary: $32.55-$35.43 per hour