Family and Natural Supports Counsellor

Anti Human Trafficking Department

Onsite

Full Time, Permanent

Level 8

Requisition Number: AHT-2025-005

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

Overview:

Covenant House’s Anti-Trafficking includes initiatives in prevention/early intervention, direct services to survivors and incorporates research and evaluation. We have established an advocacy service, crisis bed (2 beds), transitional housing (12 beds) and a peer facilitated group program for survivors. As established leaders we have shared our expertise through trainings, consultations and online resource materials such as Traffick Stop.

We have developed therapeutic trauma informed, strength based best practices which effectively promote recovery. The Enhancing Outcomes Project will enhance outcomes by providing intensive clinical supports through the addition of a Trauma Therapist, and a Family and Natural Supports Worker to the Anti Human Trafficking program team. All members of the Anti-Human Trafficking program need to be familiar with trauma therapy principles and also be grounded in adapting interventions to respect survivors’ need to control the pace of change and the intensity of the therapeutic relationships.

The FNS worker on the Enhancing Outcomes for Survivors Project will assist youth who are experiencing or at risk of in Human Trafficking, to help mitigate risks and promote recovery. The goal is to strengthen relationships and connections with their identified family and chosen supports through family and individual counselling, coaching and skills building, and systems navigation. Recognizing the over representation of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ identified youth within the client population, FNS Workers demonstrate an ability to provide services that are able to meet the needs of diverse family backgrounds and cultures.

We are currently recruiting for 1 Full-time, Permanent Family and Natural Supports Counsellor. This is a replacement position within the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Engagement with 16-24 year old youth who are experiencing or at risk of Human Trafficking, and their families/natural supports
• Develop trusting, helping and therapeutic relationships with youth and their identified family members and chosen supports to address identified goals
• Use a trauma informed, Collaborative, Family System and Ecological assessment approach to support the determination of goals and individualized service plans
• Provide family and individual counselling to support youth and their families and chosen supports improve relationships, mitigate risk factors, and resolve conflict
• Provide navigation supports (referrals, accompaniment, and liaison and coordination support) to ensure youth and their family members/chosen supports can access appropriate community resources, including court support as necessary
• Provide services in locations deemed to be safe and convenient to youth and their family members and chosen supports (such as in shelters, in family homes and other community settings)
• Work collaboratively within the Toronto Family and Natural Supports Program team, the Anti-Human Trafficking program team, the Covenant House Toronto team, the youth shelter system and broader community.
• Participate in and support the Survivor Advisory table as needed, receiving and acting upon feedback from the Advisory.
• Work with stakeholders and partners to develop and promote this new specialized youth service.
• Participate in assessment and evaluation tools and measures to support the research and evaluation of the program’s work
• Maintain client files and complete all required documentation
• Perform related duties as assigned by Program Manager
• Other additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• BSW or MSW, or degree in a counseling related field, or equivalent in education and experience.
• Registration with a College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) or The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
• 3 years’ experience working with youth who have experienced abuse, sexual exploitation and/or gender based violence, and their families/chosen supports
• Experience working with youth who are survivors of, or at-risk of Sexual Exploitation, sex trafficking and Gender Based Violence is required.
• Demonstrated ability in working with a trauma responsive, harm reduction approach and from an anti-oppression and culturally competent perspective/framework is essential
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with intense, acute youth and family situations and circumstances
• Sound understanding of family systems theory, family dynamics, adolescent development and attachment theories and an ability to apply them is required.
• Understanding of issues related to adolescent/youth Human Trafficking, youth homelessness, 2SLGBTQ identities, mental health and substance use problems and disorders, and developmental and learning disabilities.
• Knowledge of anti-human trafficking , homelessness, and other community resources and systems available to youth and families
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Demonstrated competencies including communications, creativity, flexibility, teamwork and self-care.
• Demonstrated organization ability to handle caseload requirements, compile statistical data and reports for review and evaluation
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evening hours is required
• A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is an asset

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. If you are excited about the role but your resume doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the description, apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles.

What we Offer:

• Meaningful work.
• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
• Employee perks which include discounts on gym membership, city bike rentals, auto & home insurance and more.

Interested candidates are welcome to apply directly to this posting on or by October 22, 2025. Only those selected to move forward in our recruitment process will be contacted. No agencies or phone calls please.

Use of AI and Technology in the Hiring Process

Covenant House Toronto does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. However, we do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently.

While our ATS may apply automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters. No hiring decisions are made by AI.

Commitment to Equitable Recruitment

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process.