Family Support Services Counsellor

arc programs exists to create thriving communities, free of systemic barriers and full of belonging, equity, and hope. We have a bold vision to ensure everyone in our communities feels connected and cared for, and we are excited to be expanding our team to help us accelerate our impact!

We are now accepting applications for a  Family Support Counsellor based out of the Family Connection Centre (FCC) in Kelowna to start in July.

Family Support Counsellors provide support and mentorship to families and caregivers of children and youth with support needs, to develop the resiliency and capacity of the caregivers to manage their child / youth’s needs and behaviours, and their ability to provide effective care on an ongoing basis

Full-Time, Permanent
Family Support Counsellors will typically work five days a week. Any additional hours must be approved by a supervisor.

May include some evenings and weekends.

Developing therapeutic relationships of trust and safety with families to support their journey through Family Connection Centre (FCC) services for their children.

• Improving parent and child / youth or sibling interactions and decreasing conflict.
• Facilitating support groups for parents / caregivers to enhance connections, provide education and promote skill development relevant to the developmental and chronological age of their children.

Working collaboratively with FCC teams and outside resources, such as School Division 23, MCFD, CYMH, MCSS, as well as the family's natural support system to ensure holistic care and support.

• Facilitating family connections with r elevant community services and overcoming barriers to accessing supports.
• Assisting parents / caregivers with relevant applications, including applications for housing, Jordan’s Principal, and Disability Tax Credit.
• Assisting with transition to adult services.
• Building relationships and connections within the community to improve service integration.

Appling culturally safe and agile, trauma informed, relational and person / family-centered modalities.

A bachelor’s degree in a Social Services or Human Services discipline (BSW / CYC / BA-Psychology etc.) A diploma in a Social Services or Human Services discipline may also be  considered,  with extensive (minimum 3-years) experience.

Experience working with children with support needs

• Strong knowledge base in child development, neurodiversity, ASD, FASD and complex support needs.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships with children, youth, and families.
• Experience working with substance misuse, intimate partner violence, mental health and child protection services.
• Need a valid BC Driver's License, regional insurance, and a reliable personal vehicle.
• Must Undergo a screening process, including a criminal record search

Upon successful completion of a probationary period, full-time employees
(minimum 20-hrs per week) are eligible for a full benefit package (including dental plan, vision coverage, life insurance, extended medical coverage, long-term disability plan, and RRSP or TFSA contributions).

New full-time employees are eligible for 3-weeks paid vacation to start, and paid sick days as needed

Like most in the social services sector, arc programs is an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and ensure everyone on the team demonstrates cultural safety and sensitivity of all populations we serve.

We use an anti-oppressive lens to inform our work with folx of all cultures, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, religions, and other oppressions to enhance our approach to equality.

We recruit and retain highly skilled staff and support their development through training, education, research, best practices, and innovation.

We foster a culture of continuous learning, utilizing a two-eyed seeing approach – incorporating the strengths of western knowledge and Indigenous Knowledge: ways of knowing, doing and being – while engaging meaningfully with the provincial community social services sector, Indigenous communities, and agencies.