The Pod Group·Peel, Ontario
The Intake Worker serves as the first point of contact for youth experiencing homelessness, conducting initial screenings and risk assessments. They coordinate access to emergency shelters, diversion services, and community-based supports while maintaining accurate client documentation.
COMPASSIONATE ● RESOURCEFUL ● COLLABORATIVE ● ORGANIZED ● CLIENT-CENTRED OVERVIEW A growing, community-based organization that provides shelter and outreach support for homeless youth in Peel Region.
They are a leading organization recognized in the community for its commitment to providing youth in need with a safe environment and access to services to help them achieve independence and foster growth.
Are you passionate about supporting youth homelessness and mental health?
The Pod Group is partnering with this organization to place a resourceful, compassionate, and hands-on individual to fulfill the role of an Intake Worker.
WHY YOUR ROLE MATTERS 🔍 The Intake Worker is responsible for providing a welcoming, safe, and supportive first point of contact for youth who are experiencing homelessness, are at immediate risk of homelessness, or require housing-related assistance.
Working within a trauma-informed, youth-centered, Housing First for Youth-aligned approach, the Intake Worker responds to all inquiries for services, completes initial screenings and gathering of call data, ensures accurate and timely documentation, identifies immediate safety concerns that require timely escalation, and coordinates access to emergency shelter, diversion, homelessness prevention, and community-based supports.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT 🎯 Central Intake and Initial Response Serve as a central point of contact for youth seeking emergency shelter, housing assistance, transitional housing access, diversion services or other supports.
Provide timely response to inquiries and referrals by telephone, email, in person and through designated referral systems.
Gather relevant information regarding the youth’s immediate circumstances, housing status, presenting needs and current level of risk.
Maintain accurate call logs and wait lists, as required.
Provide consistent, accurate, relevant, and timely information in all communications and data sets to support and inform decision-making.
In consultation with the Diversion team, determine the urgency of each request and prioritize response based on safety, vulnerability and immediate housing needs.
Screening, Assessment and Service Planning Initiate the Diversion Assessment process for youth seeking shelter, and gather initial information about the caller, as required per intake and triage protocol.
Document the youth’s immediate shelter and housing needs, including where the youth stayed previously and where they may be able to safely stay that evening.
Identify immediate risks related to violence, abuse, human trafficking, mental health, substance use, medical needs, wand other identified risk factors.
Provide required information to prevention team as required for accurate and timely decision-making, as per youth assignment protocol.
Information, Referral and Service Navigation Provide relevant referral information about shelter, housing, income, mental health, substance use, health, legal, education, employment, and community services to address the presenting issues of the caller Facilitate warm referrals whenever possible rather than only providing contact information.
Maintain accurate records of referrals and services provided.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with community partners and referral sources.
With the support of the Diversion team, maintain current knowledge of emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, rental supports, drop-in programs and other youth-serving resources.
Crisis Intervention and Safety Respond calmly and appropriately to youth experiencing crisis, distress, conflict or heightened emotional states.
Use de-escalation, active listening, motivational interviewing and crisis-intervention techniques.
Provide a welcoming, respectful, non-judgmental and youth-friendly response to all individuals seeking assistance.
Consult with supervisors or appropriate clinical, crisis or emergency services when elevated risks are identified.
Documentation, Privacy and Data Management Create and maintain accurate, objective and timely electronic and paper records.
Document inquiries, referrals, admissions, unsuccessful contacts, interventions, and service outcomes.
Enter information into the organization’s client database, tracking forms, and/or homelessness-management system in accordance with established requirements.
Protect the confidentiality, privacy and security of youth information.
Team Collaboration Work collaboratively with shelter staff, Diversion Workers, Case Managers, and other staff and program teams.
Participate in shift exchanges, case consultations, team meetings, training, supervision and program-development activities.
Maintain professional and collaborative relationships with youth, colleagues, families, community partners and referral sources.
Follow organizational policies, collective-agreement requirements, health-and-safety practices and professional standards.
All other duties as required.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING 🎓 Diploma in Social Services or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
1-2 years’ experience working with youth in a shelter/residential setting.
Knowledge of homelessness, mental health and addictions an asset.
Knowledge of housing first for youth, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction practices an asset.
Knowledge of resources within the Region of Peel, specifically for youth.
Understanding of issues relating to youth homelessness and the barriers youth face in attaining and maintaining their housing, as well as an understanding of the broader housing sector in Peel.
Effective problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and crisis-intervention skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work rotating shifts, including some weekends and holidays.
May be required to support shelter operations or other operational needs, as required.
Valid First Aid, CPI/UMAB Certifications.
A valid Ontario’s full G Driver’s Licence is required, with a clean driver’s abstract.
A $2,000,000 minimum liability car insurance coverage is also mandatory.
Completion of a successful Vulnerable Sector Check/Criminal Record Check will be a condition of employment.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EDIB The success of an organization stems from a team that is aligned with its mission and vision, where decisions are made in the best interests of the clients they serve and the marginalized and vulnerable populations across our communities.
Through this effort, all team members embrace their roles in the organization with respect and dignity for all stakeholders.
Through these partnerships, everyone is focused on ensuring a commitment and responsibility toward anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and belonging.
OUR PARTNERSHIP - THE POD GROUP The Pod Group (PG) connects candidates with amazing career opportunities in Ontario!
We collaborate extensively with not-for-profit and community-based organizations, including health, social services, developmental, housing, mental health, and community health care.
We promote a unique candidate experience that integrates equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in our engagement with candidates.
Our recruitment strategy focuses on learning more about your career goals and aligning your passion with mission-driven work.
We thank you for your interest in applying!
Job Type: Full-Time, unionized role Unionized Salary: $46,984 CAD Annually Vacancy: Current Opening
Requires a Diploma in Social Services or equivalent experience and 1-2 years of experience working with youth in residential settings. Candidates must possess a valid G Driver's License, First Aid/CPI certifications, and a successful Vulnerable Sector Check.
Market context
In Ontario, behavioral-health roles are typically driven by ongoing need in community, outpatient, and support settings serving people with mental health or substance use challenges. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for experience with diverse populations plus a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor’s in social work or a related field preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show relevant client-facing experience and readiness to work with varied needs.
