Inclusion Counsellor

**Helping Hands**

**Location**: Laurier Brantford YMCA
- Staff are responsible for arranging own transportation to Laurier Brantford YMCA_

**Hourly Wage**: $17.00

**Position Status**: Seasonal Contract

**Contract Hours**:Helping Hands**: 8:30-4:30pm (37.5 hrs/wk)

**Placement**:June 24- August 23, 2024

**Camps Offered**: KidVenture and Sports

**Kid Venture Camp**: KidVenture Camp provides campers with the opportunity to explore their creativity in a safe and fun environment. Activities include arts and crafts, drama & dance, swimming, co-operative games, science experiments and outdoor play. Each week, campers will have a special guest speaker.

**Sports Camp**: Sports Camp focuses on sportsmanship, participation and fair play, fitness and team spirit. Children have the opportunity to learn fundamental movement skills through fun and interactive activities. Activities include swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, team games and arts and crafts.

**Nature & Scope**:
The Helping Hands program supports campers having the opportunity to participate in a camp experience no matter their ability level. The Helping Hands Counsellor provides 1:1 support to children with disabilities and/or children who require additional support at various YMCA Day Camp sites (most often Christie Lake Conservation Area). This position reports directly to the Helping Hands Site Supervisor and is responsible for ensuring safe, quality, and developmentally appropriate programming for children ages 6-15 years. Personal care, including toileting, changing, feeding and lifting, and maintaining daily reports and communication with parent/caregiver are essential requirements of this position.

**Responsibilities**:

- Responsible for providing direct 1:1 support of camper and ensuring they feel safe and welcomed at camp through building relationships and supporting them in making connections with other campers
- Reads, understands and applies information from camper individual plan to support safety, communication, participation and engagement at camp
- Responsible for getting to know camper interests and plan their day according to their strengths and the information provided in individual support plan as well as observing any modifications or accommodations required to support participation and engagement
- Assists with the implementation of programs, including modifications, and ensures safe, inclusive, quality programs for all campers
- Completes daily written reports and documentation accurately
- Provides supervision and implementation of programming on busses, both to and from the camp site (where applicable)
- Assists with parent/caregiver liaison, promotion, set up and clean up
- Works collaboratively with and provides on-going communication with group counsellors to ensure planning and programming that supports the well-being, participation and inclusion of camper
- Participates enthusiastically in camp activities, including but not limited to waterfront/pool activities (such as canoeing and swimming) to ensure camper safety and engagement
- Make quick decisions to ensure maximum safety when responding to camper in crises
- Understands and commits to confidentiality
- Completes weekly phone calls home to parents/caregivers prior to camper first day and provides daily written communication to send home
- Ensures Helping Hands Supervisor and/or Site Supervisor are informed of any serious occurrences/complaints about camp
- Responsible for attending all staff training and staff meetings (some evening and weekends)
- Maintain regular attendance and notify supervisor when unable to make it to a scheduled shift in advance

**Qualifications**:

- Standard First Aid and CPR-C valid through Summer 2024 (must provide proof of certification or enrollment in course before hiring)
- Attending or completion of secondary or post-secondary school, in any discipline but preferably in the area of special needs or education
- Staff 18 years and older must submit a clear Vulnerable Sector Check prior to commencing work
- Previous experience working with children with disabilities is asset
- Previous YMCA camp, childcare, and/or child and youth program experience is preferred
- Non-violent crisis intervention is an asset
- Able to provide a satisfactory Police Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Search

**Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility**

The YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or neurodiversity.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal

**Salary**: $17.00 per hour

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person