Part time Direct Support Professional - Specialized Mental Health Professional

About Community Living Greater Sudbury

Community Living Greater Sudbury (CLGS) is a dynamic, mission-driven organization supporting adults with developmental disabilities to live meaningful, inclusive, and self-directed lives. We believe in dignity, choice, community belonging, and person-directed supports that promote independence and well-being.

We are currently seeking Direct Support Professional - Specialized Mental Health Professional to provide dedicated, individualized support to persons with complex developmental disabilities, including those with co-occurring mental health, mood, or personality disorders. This role is assigned following clinical recommendation and requires individuals who are compassionate, resilient, trauma-informed, and committed to making a meaningful impact.

Purpose of the Role

The Direct Support Professional - Specialized Mental Health Professional provides intensive, day-to-day support to individuals whose needs are complex and multifaceted. You will play a key role in promoting safety, emotional regulation, daily living skills, independence, and community inclusion.

This is a frontline position that involves providing direct support to an individual in a residential setting. This position combines direct support, clinical-informed practice, behavioural support, and life-skills teaching, while maintaining dignity, respect, and consistent therapeutic relationships.

Work assignments may range from 1 day to up to 3 months, depending on the individual’s needs.

What You’ll Do (Key Responsibilities)

Individual Support & Daily Living

• Provide person-directed support based on the individual’s choices, needs, and daily goals.


• Support individuals with complex mental health, emotional dysregulation, and personality-related challenges using trauma-informed and psychosocial approaches.


• Assist with activities of daily living, including dressing, bathing, toileting, meal prep, cleaning, laundry, shopping, and household routines.


• Maintain calm, rational detachment during emotional or behavioural escalations, always prioritizing safety and dignity.


• Follow clinical guidance, behavioural strategies, and individualized protocols.

Life Planning & Skill Development

• Contribute to the development and review of Life Plans / Individual Support Plans (ISP).


• Support individuals in building social, life, and vocational skills.


• Assist in monitoring progress and adapting supports as needs evolve.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Assist with medication administration and follow all medical directives.


• Complete required documentation, incident reports, behavioural data, and daily notes.


• Participate in fire drills, safety protocols, and Safe Management interventions.


• Maintain safe living environments and identify hazards.

Community Inclusion

• Foster community participation, inclusion, and meaningful daily engagement.


• Accompany individuals to community activities, appointments, and events.


• Promote independence in navigating public spaces and transportation.

Collaboration & Relationships

• Work closely with clinical teams, coordinators, families, community resources, and external professionals.


• Support new staff, volunteers, and students through orientation and guidance.


• Communicate effectively within the team and escalate concerns appropriately.

What You Bring (Qualifications)

• Experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental health needs (complex needs experience is a strong asset).


• Mental Health or Social service worker and any related studies.


• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, emotional regulation, and psychosocial rehabilitation principles.


• Ability to remain calm and professional in unpredictable or high-intensity situations.


• Comfortable providing hands-on personal care and daily living support.


• Ability to work rotating shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and call-ins.


• Valid driver’s license; ability to operate agency vehicles.


• Valid First Aid, CPR certificate, and Safe Management training
  


• Strong communication, documentation, and teamwork skills.


• Physical capacity to meet the demands of the role (lifting 10–50 lbs, quick response, bending, assisting with transfers, etc.).

Work Hours:

The hours of work are scheduled up to 56 hours bi-weekly with the potential of more shifts as they become available (Part-time)

*A Vulnerable Sector Screening/Criminal Record Check will be requested by Human Resources should you be the candidate of choice. Please do not submit your Vulnerable Sector Screening/Criminal Record Check with your application.

NOTICE: Due to the nature of support, this position requires a female only staff with a G license as a bona fide occupational requirement Under Section of the Human Rights Code

We are committed to a culture that values diversity and inclusion.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities and are committed to providing accommodation as part of our hiring process. If you have special requirements, please advise Human Resources during the recruitment process.