Special Need Support Worker jobs in Toronto, ON

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT WORKER - (Acquired Brain Injury) - (ABI)

North York Integrated Service Teams - (NY-IST)

One (1) Bargaining Unit, Contract Full-Time Position until March, 2027

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

Existing Vacancy

Compensation: $23.11/hour-$25.62/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Individual Support Worker (ISW) provide individualized training, coaching and support to service user in order to help them to learn skills that will increase their independence in the community. For example, the ISW may help service users to learn any of the following skills: laundry, personal care skills, public transit, household maintenance, cooking silks, budgeting skills and social skills. The ISW will provide support to service user in their homes and community settings in either North York.

About the Team

The NY-IST Team is an interdisciplinary team of professionals that supports people with an Acquired Brain Injury, Developmental Delay, Mental Health and Psycho-geriatric clients as well as their families. The team is composed of professionals who work as one team to support the complex healthcare needs of this client population, their families and caregivers.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Individual Support Worker’s primary duties may involve, but not necessarily be limited to:

• Provides individualized training, coaching and support to service user with acquired brain injuries and behavioural management goals in order to help them learn skills that will increase their independence in the community. For example, the ISW may help service user to learn any of the following skills; laundry, personal care skills, public transit, household maintenance, cooking, budgeting and social skills while integrating the behavioral.
• Provides support to service user in their home and community settings.
• Assist client achieve personalized SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) recovery goals.
• Promotes service user's skill development and independence.
• Understands and works towards the need for continued involvement with any service user, which may need to be carefully reviewed on a regular basis to promote the greatest degree of independence.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma related to human services (e.g. Social Service Worker, Bachelor of Social Work, Developmental Social Worker, Psychology, Sociology, etc.) is preferred
• As a minimum, the successful candidate must have a High School Diploma and certification as a PSW
• Valid Crisis Prevention (CPI), First Aid/CPR, and ASIST certificates preferred

Experience:

• Relevant experience in supporting service user with special needs, physical and/or cognitive disabilities, mental health and or addiction issues.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to work in partnership with service user
• Knowledge/sensitivity of the issues affecting people in the target group (e.g. acquired brain injury, mental health, poverty, unemployment, stigma, isolation)
• Demonstrated client-centered and customer focus approach
• Ability to lift 10-25 lbs. (e.g. when demonstrating grocery/ laundry skills)
• Computer competent (MS Word, E-mail, Internet)
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to prioritize needs and organize work efficiently
• Ability to problem solve and make recommendations to resolve issues
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to identify client risk factors and coordinate appropriate follow-up
• Respectful and aware of client-worker boundaries
• Awareness of safety issues with service user

Other:

• Be available to work day & evening
• Significant travel within GTA is necessary
• Must have access to a vehicle (Please note that access to a vehicle means owning, borrowing, or renting a vehicle. Alternatively, it can include using ride services such as Uber, cabs, and taxis at no cost to Cota)

Application Details:

Please complete the application below before October 9, 2026 at 4:00pm.

We are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience as a valuable form of knowledge and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences, identities, and perspectives - including those with lived experience of housing insecurity, mental health or substance use recovery, or engagement with community supports. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

__________________________________________________________________

Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca