Child, Youth and Family Counsellor

arc programs exists to create thriving communities, free of systemic barriers and full of belonging, equity, and hope. We have a bold vision to ensure everyone in our communities feels connected and cared for, and we are excited to be expanding our team to help us accelerate our impact

We are now accepting applications for a Child, Youth and Family Counsellor to join our West Kootenay team.

This position combines two roles: a permanent part-time position with the Permanency Support Program, and a temporary part-time position with the Kootenay Wrap-Around Support (K-Wrap) Program.

The Permanency Support Program provides individual and/or family counselling, behavioural support and education to caregivers such as adoptive parents, family members or other individuals raising a child or youth out-of-care, to increase their capacity, resilience and connection with community.

The K-Wrap Program provides comprehensive support services to reduce the risk of placement disruption for youth in care. This program helps develop the capacity of family-based caregivers to provide ongoing, supportive foster care.

The primary focus of both programs is to develop the resiliency and capacity of parents and caregivers to meet their children/youth’s needs, to provide effective care on an ongoing basis, to avoid family breakdown, and to build healthy attachments and positive relationships.

Please note that this position is based out of the Castlegar office, and requires extensive travel throughout the West Kootenay service area.

1. Permanency Support Program: Part-time, permanent position, 21.li>
2. K-Wrap Program: Part-time, temporary position, 10.b>

   The Child, Youth and Family Counsellor will:

   • Develop and maintain family-centered partnerships with parents, community professionals and others.
   • Help caregivers to understand the strengths, needs, abilities and preferences of their child/youth; and make recommendations/create goals relevant to the child/youth's individual needs and capabilities.
   • Create or increase natural support networks for the child/youth in their community.
   • Apply a trauma-informed practice lens, and attachment theory to increase the caregiver’s knowledge and understanding of the dynamics with their child/youth in the context of past interaction patterns.
   • Improve caregiver and child/youth or sibling interactions to decrease conflict in the home.
   • Act as a resource to families and the community on adoptive and out-of-care support, and child/youth related issues.
   • Facilitate caregiver, child and/or youth connections with relevant community services, and address barriers to accessing supports.
   • Model and assist caregivers to work collaboratively with members of their child/youth’s care team.
   • Participate in integrated case management and planning meetings.
   • Implement and maintain required case management and clinical records.

   Preferred Education and Experience:

   A degree in a relevant discipline (BSW/BA-Child and Youth Care/BA – Psychology) and a minimum of 2 years relevant experience is required.

   • Previous employment in a child, youth or family counselling position.
   • Experience in/knowledge of the Extended Family Program and/or out-of-care kinship placements.
   • To understand issues experienced by caregivers and children/youth in out-of-care placements.
   • The ability to establish trusting relationships with children, youth, and families.
   • To be skilled at managing multiple concurrent projects, assignments and tasks requested from multiple sources.
     • Need a valid BC Driver's License, regional insurance, and a reliable personal vehicle.

       Like most in the social services sector, arc programs is an equal-opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and ensure everyone on the team demonstrates cultural safety and sensitivity of all populations we serve.

       We use an anti-oppressive lens to inform our work with folx of all cultures, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, socio-economic status, religions, and other oppressions to enhance our approach to equality.

       We recruit and retain highly skilled staff and support their development through training, education, research, best practices, and innovation.

       We foster a culture of continuous learning, utilizing a two-eyed seeing approach – incorporating the strengths of western knowledge and Indigenous Knowledge: ways of knowing, doing and being – while engaging meaningfully with the provincial community social services sector, Indigenous communities, and agencies.

       Discover more about our agency services and work culture at arcprograms.