Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services
Optimism Place is a shelter for women and children escaping abuse.
Position: Family Court Support Worker
Region: London and Middlesex, Oxford and Norfolk, Huron and Perth
Description: Are you committed to ending the cycle of abuse and violence by raising awareness through prevention, education, and advocacy? Are you looking for the opportunity to support women with or without children to live free of abuse by providing shelter and confidential, non- judgmental services? If this sounds like you, then please consider joining the team at Optimism Place!
Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services is an organization that provides emergency shelter, counselling, advocacy, and support for women and their children fleeing domestic violence in Perth County.
This is a temporary, full-time contract position (maternity leave coverage) that is anticipated to begin December 2026 and extend through January 2028.
The Family Court Support Worker is responsible for helping women to navigate the family court process. The Family Court Support Worker is responsible for helping women to navigate the family court process.
This would include assisting women to apply for Legal Aid, find a lawyer, utilize legal resources, assist to identify and complete needed court documents, documenting history of abuse, safety plan for court and accompany to legal appointments (lawyers, FLIC) and virtual or in person court accompaniment.
The Family Court Support Worker is a member of the community-based services team and as such will support the efforts of the team in serving women in the community.
This position requires case management skills and the ability to develop the family court program. This will include presentations to community partners, law firms, legal clinics, and community groups as well as the development of program materials. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and relational in their service delivery.
Qualifications:
- A college diploma from a registered institution in a Social Service Worker, Law, Justice or comparable
- program. A Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Law, Justice or comparable field
- would be an asset. Knowledge or experience in the family court and legal system is required. A minimum
- of six (6) months of related experience in the field of violence against women services, sexual assault
- services, or residential services. Volunteer or placement student experience is welcomed. Understands
- and operates from a trauma-informed perspective. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in
- English is required.
Successful candidates will:
- Be flexible with hours of work, depending on client needs
- Have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
- Provide a valid and recent vulnerable sector check
- Provide valid CPR/First Aid Certification
- Have a positive impact on the lives of women and their children
- Work with like-minded individuals in an anti-oppressive, feminist framework
- Work with a close-knit team contributing to the community and a significant way
- Manage your own caseload of clients and develop the program responsively to client needs
- Report to the Manager of Legal Advocacy and Transition Services
Salary: $53,000 to $59,000 annually
Terms of Employment: Temporary, full-time
Deadline for Application: Friday, October 30, 2026
How to Apply: Send resumes to Joanne Grimes at
joanne@optimismplace.com. Please include 'Family Court Support Worker' in the subject line. Submissions must be received before 5pm on the deadline date.
Optimism Place is committed to equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and Indigenous persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code. In alignment with its commitment to equity, Optimism Place values diversity and provides a positive and supportive environment. Optimism Place offers reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to participate in the recruitment process. If you are contacted regarding this opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. While we appreciate all interest in our positions, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Location: Stratford
Profession Type: Social Services (Social Workers, Counsellors)
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