Victim Services Toronto
Victim Services Toronto
Location:
40 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5G2J3
Note: NVA positions will be based out of Toronto Police 23 Division (5230 Finch Ave W, Toronto, ON M9V 0A1) or Toronto Police 14 Division (350 Dovercourt Rd, Toronto, ON M6J 3E3)
Practicum Requirements:
(Click on all the boxes that apply.)
☐ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☐ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☐ Covid Vaccinations
☐ Influenza Vaccination (Flu shot)
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☒ Driver’s License (preferred but not required)
☐ Use of Own Car
☒ Travel by public transportation between home visits, or satellite offices, or community meetings, etc.
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
☒ Comprehensive report writing and documentation
☐ Lived experience/Current member of the community being served
☒ Evening attendance (Crisis Response Program ONLY)
☐ Weekend attendance
☒ Changing shift attendance (Crisis Response Program ONLY)
☐ Language (specify in field below)
Other requirements:
Community Programs placements are in the community and require traveling to schools, and placement students must be comfortable and confident facilitators.
Please select Fields(s) of Study:
(click on all boxes that apply.)
☐ Children and their Families
☒ Social Justice and Diversity
☒ Mental Health and Health
☐ Social Work in Gerontology
☐ Human Services Management & Leadership
Does your practicum require any previous experience?
(If yes, please specify.)
Our placement opportunities are most suitable to students who have some work experience in the field.
Each placement opportunity has requirements, all listed in the full postings.
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
In-person, except for the policy student (which is hybrid) and the community event program student which is a blend of in person in the community, and some hybrid work.
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
Practicums in the crisis response program, enhanced services, community programs and neighborhood victim advocacy programs are mostly direct client work. The policy practicum is mostly indirect.
Number of practicums offered:
Group supervision with an MSW is offered for every role except for the Neighbourhood Victim Advocate Program, where the direct supervisor is an MSW.
Crisis Response Program (2 positions)
Students will participate in practical training and direct practice activities working side by side crisis counselors in office to complete police and client intakes, conduct suicide risk assessments, client needs and safety assessments, and safety planning. Provide crisis intervention, emotional and practical support, information, and referrals/linkages to clients over the phone and face to face.
Enhanced Services Program (1 position)
Students will participate in practical training and direct practice activities working side by side case coordinators in office to provide short-term case coordination and intervention services to vulnerable victims of crime and sudden tragedy. Students will receive referrals from internal/external programs and community partners, conduct short and long-term needs/safety assessments, safety planning, advocate and assist clients in accessing and navigating health, social services, and justice systems and provide practical assistance to clients over the phone and face to face.
Anti-Human Trafficking Program (1 position)
Students will participate in practical training and direct practice activities working side by side specialized anti-human trafficking case managers in office to provide short-term case coordination and intervention services to caregivers, families, and victim/survivors of human trafficking. Students will receive referrals from internal/external programs and community partners, conduct short and long-term needs/safety assessments, safety planning, advocate and assist clients in accessing and navigating health, social services, and justice systems and provide practical assistance to clients over the phone and face to face.
Neighbourhood Victim Advocate Program (2 positions)
Neighbourhood Victim Advocates are co-located within 5 Toronto Police Service (TPS) Divisions and provide intensive crisis intervention and case management services to victims of major crimes and sudden tragedy. This is an in-person placement/practicum opportunity, and the student will be based out of 23 Division (Kipling & Finch), or 14 Division (Dundas & Dovercourt). Students will participate in practical training and direct practice activities working side by side with advocates & the housing specialist to provide short-term case coordination and crisis intervention services. Students will receive referrals from internal/external programs and community partners, conduct short and long-term needs assessments resulting from a crime, safety assessment/planning, advocate and assist clients in accessing and navigating health, social services, and justice systems, assessing eligibility and completing housing applications and provide practical assistance to clients over the phone and face to face.
Note: successful students will be required to undergo a background check with Toronto Police Services for the Neighborhood Victim Advocate program. This practicum has an MSW supervisor.
Community Programs (1 position)
Students will have the opportunity to participate in remote indirect practice activities including online training, assist VST’s community programs such as the Teens Ending Abusive Relationships (T.E.A.R.) Youth Leadership Program planning meetings, attending special projects advisory meetings related to VST prevention programs and administrative tasks such as social media content creation and resource location. Students will participate in practical training and direct practice activities in the office/in the community including working side by side with program staff in the community to co-facilitate T.E.A.R. ï educational workshops, supporting the Teens Ending Abusive Relationships (T.E.A.R.ï) youth leadership program, social media initiatives (e.g. filming, interviewing) outreach (info presentations, trainings, community booths), and attend court and community events via the Trauma Dog Program. This role is best suited to someone who enjoys public speaking and is an engaging facilitator.
Policy Student Placement – open to HSML students
The student will assist with research and data collection to inform evidence-based policy recommendations and enhance service delivery. Through analyzing trends in victim support and violence prevention, the student will contribute to strengthening VST’s advocacy efforts and ensuring our programs align with best practices. In addition to research, the student will help build and foster community partnerships by engaging with stakeholders, service providers, and advocacy groups. They will also play a key role in evaluating existing policies and programs, assessing their effectiveness in addressing the needs of victims and survivors. This placement offers a meaningful opportunity to apply policy knowledge in a real-world setting, contributing to violence prevention and improving support systems for those impacted by crime and tragedy.
*Students will have group supervision with an MSW supervisor.
Field Instructor name and credentials:
Varies on program. Neighborhood Victim Advocate program director is MSW. All practicum field instructors have extensive experience in direct client work.
Application deadline:
April 17, 2025
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Both a resume and cover letter, as well as complete form which can be found here.
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? No
- Shared office spaces
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Sometimes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Fast
- The crisis team particularly is extremely fast-paced.
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Medium
- Shared office spaces so there is a level of noise due to this
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- Yes, offices are wheelchair accessible however the community program practicum student does go into various schools in the community which may not be accessible
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? None
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of?
- Students may spend much of their time sitting or standing (most desks are hybrid standing desks)
If you are interested in this practicum, please indicate which program you applying for and send a cover letter and resume by 4 pm on April 18, 2025 to samar.hossain@utoronto.ca. Applications will be sent to the site. Please also complete the form which can be found here.