Child and Youth Worker

**JOB SUMMARY**:
Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor, Intensive Treatment Services (ITS), the Child and Youth Worker (CYW) is a key service provider along with the ITS Counsellors in providing intensive treatment services to children, youth and their family/caregiver in their home and community. An incredibly challenging but rewarding position, the CYW will work in collaboration with the client’s multi-disciplinary treatment/care team to stabilize the client’s behaviour and mood, as well as, equip caregivers with the necessary skills to help the client achieve personal goals, develop healthy relationships, gain essential life and social skills, safety plan, and participate in therapy as needed. Inherent to this work is the recognition and management of risk associated with clients experiencing mild, moderate, and/or severe conditions of mental health, and or substance use challenges. Essential to facilitating change is the inclusion of the client’s culture, community, and informal circle of support. The CYW work environment may include the client’s home, school, alternative home, and the community.

As a member of the AFS Team, the CYW plays an important role in promoting our culture of care through the modelling of our organizational values and delivering on our mission, vision, and strategic objectives, with kindness, compassion, and care. Extraordinarily committed, the CYW will also promote inclusive and culturally sensitive services from a trauma-informed, client-centred, strength-based, and solution-focused approach within an anti-oppressive practice context.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Child and Youth Worker Degree or Diploma with two (2) years’ experience working with children, youth, and families, or the equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Experience working with high risk and marginalized children and youth.
- Possess a caring, kind, and empathic approach in the engagement of children, youth, and their families in a manner that is consistent with the AFS vision and organizational values. Certification in Crisis Prevention and Intervention, and possess the ability and maturity to act calmly in situations demanding quick assessment and immediate action.
- Certification in First Aid and CPR.
- Training in WHIMIS, Naloxone administration, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, and cultural competence.
- A solid understanding of the effects of abuse and neglect, separation and attachment, grief and loss, on child development.
- Demonstrate an understanding of age and developmentally appropriate behavior for children/adolescents in the home, school, and community.
- Experience working with neuro-diverse (for example, ASD or FASD diagnosis) needs children and youth.
- Ability to provide skill-building training to the client and their caregivers.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, participate in supervision; incorporate constructive feedback, attend meetings, and complete assigned paperwork with accuracy and on-time.
- Knowledge of pertinent legislation, such as: the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Mental Health Act, Education Act, and the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
- Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships with caregivers, colleagues, consultants, referral sources, service providers and education personnel.
- Proficiency with computers, specifically software, such as: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint, as well as, client information management systems.
- Ability to provide services in both official languages (English/French) is an asset.
- Possession of a valid Ontario Driver’s License, ability to travel, and use of a personal vehicle.
- Availability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and on-call.

This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by OPSEU.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

**Salary**: $23.82-$29.37 per hour

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Night shift

COVID-19 considerations:
Proof of COVID Vaccination required for all new employees

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Elliot Lake, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)