Integrated Child and Youth Clinical Counsellor

Recognized for its diversity, dedication to inclusion, and strong partnerships with the community, the Richmond School District is among one of the largest districts in British Columbia with some of the highest graduation rates in the province. With a long history of providing high quality experiences for students, the Richmond School District strives to be “The Best Place to Learn and Lead.”

Richmond School District operates 38 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, alternate programs, continuing education and a number of additional facilities. The district enrolls approximately 21,000 students (K-12) and employs over 3000 dedicated staff.

Under A Pathway to Hope, the Province is implementing Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) teams in school district communities. This began in the fall of 2021, in five school district communities which are now operational. As announced in February 2023, ICY teams will now be implemented in seven additional school district communities. The Province has committed to implementing ICY teams in 20 communities across BC by 2024/25.

These community based multidisciplinary teams deliver wraparound mental health and substance use services and supports for children and youth (birth to 18) and their families. The service delivery will be flexible and outbound, reflecting the preferences of children, youth, and families. Each ICY team will support a cluster of Public, Independent and First Nations operated schools and will include all children and youth within the geographic region.

The primary responsibilities of this position are to work as part of the multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional integrated child and youth team to provide therapeutic counselling services and school liaison support for children, youth and families experiencing mild/moderate mental health needs, and to manage and oversee the Youth Peer Support Worker position.

This role includes outreach work with the community to support a cluster of Public, Independent and First Nations operated schools within the geographic region, and may be required to perform time-sensitive work such as emergency counselling to children, youth and their families.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Support the ICY team and schools served to mitigate and address factors which may precipitate mental health and substance use challenges for children and youth.

Provide child/youth and family therapeutic counselling through a lens of intervention and/or prevention support. Monitor the progress of child/youth on their case load.

Perform the functions of a manager of employees in the Youth Peer Support Worker positions as part of the ICY teams including:

Responsible for recruitment, selection and hiring of school-based employees assigned to the portfolio within the program

Provide orientation, coaching, training and mentoring to direct reports

Manage employee conduct related matters including conduct employee relations related investigations with the human resources department, issues discipline and discharge of the employee when necessary

Manage employee attendance including informal and formal discussions with employees when absenteeism is continuously impacting service delivery; provides consideration to all applicable leave of absence requests

Manage employees including routine informal performance feedback, the development of employee work plans, and conduct staff performance review and related development plans reviews.

Interpret and comply with applicable collective agreements, participate in the grievance and arbitration process, and consult with human resources to provide feedback on collective bargaining initiatives necessary to support to the program and community

Manage assigned budget including staffing budgets allocated to the portfolio

Liaise between school staff and the ICY team, to represent and advocate for the needs of all children and youth (birth to 18) within the geographic area with a focus on prevention/early intervention wherever possible.

Provide support for the Youth Peer Support Worker to participate as a core ICY team member.

Attend and actively participate in integrated child and youth team meetings.

Provide oversight and supervision of the Youth Peer Support Worker to provide peer-based mentoring and emotional support to youth ages 12-19 with the following:

to support systems navigation and resource distribution to youth;

in facilitating or co-facilitating groups for children, youth and families as needed;

to encourage membership in the school community.

to support systems navigation and resource distribution to youth;

in facilitating or co-facilitating groups for children, youth and families as needed;

to encourage membership in the school community.

As needed and as appropriate, attend school-based team meetings, partner and community agency groups.

Facilitate multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional team decision making through a consensus building process.

Deliver workshops and ongoing training to families, direct staff and community agencies as determined by the ICY team.

Lead counselling groups for children, youth and families as needed.

Cultivate a collegial atmosphere with case supervision and case consultation.

Work in collaboration with school and school district counsellors.

Consult with and coordinate support services from outside agencies when needed (e.g. community services, RCMP).

Required Qualifications :

Educational & Professional Certification:

Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Psychology or a related field. Preference may be given to a candidate with school-based practicum experience.

Must be a Registered Clinical Counsellor and meet educational and training criteria to be a member of the BC Association of Clinical counsellors (BCACC) or a Registered Clinical Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW).

Experience:

Minimum of 3-5 years experience working with families, children, and youth in a clinical counselling setting.

Experience in clinical and/or educational interventions with children, adolescents, and families (including crisis intervention).

Experience leading and managing employees including hiring, coaching and mentoring, performance and attendance management, and applying corrective discipline preferably in an unionized environment.

Recent training and successful experience in mental health initiatives and suicide prevention.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience liaising between community partners.

What We Offer

Competitive salary and total compensation package. Salary placement will be commensurate with education, experience and internal parity.

The total compensation package for excluded staff includes:

Extended Health and Dental plan

Contributions to a defined benefit pension plan

Three weeks of vacation to start that increases with continued years of service, plus additional days off to use during Spring Break and throughout the year

Professional development opportunities for job related courses which may also include reimbursement for workshops, membership and association fees

A variety of health and wellness programs offered through our Foundations of A Healthy Workplace program

Contact us to learn more about what we offer

Work Schedule

35 hours per week

Work Designation

Onsite

Equal Opportunity Employer

Richmond School District is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Our ability to provide the best education for our student population relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds and experiences. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

We appreciate the submission of all applicants but advise ONLY those selected for an interview will be contacted.