Youth Support Worker

**Youth Support Worker**

**Relationship Skills for Violence Prevention (RSVP) with Youth Justice Program**s

**Contract (2 years) Full Time, 35 hours a week**

**OPSEU Bargaining Unit Position with full benefits**

Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) is an accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre with a range of services and programs for youth and families across Toronto. These services are client-centered and flexible, geared for youth and families with a range of mental health needs who may have difficulty accessing traditional office-based services.

Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) is seeking a Youth Support Worker to join our Youth Justice Programs team. Reporting to the Manager, Client Services, the **Youth Support Worker, RSVP** will be primarily responsible for working with youth and where indicated, their families, who are marginalized and involved with the youth court system. The support you will be providing relates to both diversion and reintegration services, utilizing evidence-based programs, individual supportive counseling, client outreach, client advocacy and supportive case management, in facilitating access to community supports. The Youth Support Worker will meet with the youth in the Toronto head office, community and/or home with the possibility of virtual work if indicated by need. Flexibility is required to work some evenings to accommodate the young person’s schedules.

RSVP programs connect with youth who are facing a range of complex challenges in their homes, neighborhoods, schools and communities. It provides outreach counselling support to youth who have youth criminal justice involvement related to dating relationship and domestic violence both with dating partners as well as with parents and siblings. For youth with sexual offending types of behaviours, RSVP will address healthy relationships, personal boundaries and informed consent.
- As employers we are committed to building intervention and management teams that reflect the diversity of our clients. Identification as a member of the Black/ African Caribbean community is prioritized for this position._

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Conduct brief service assessments, develop client service plans and discharge plans
- Adhere to a short-term relationship based psychoeducational program with client exercises and homework
- Work with youth who have dating relationship and domestic violence challenges both with dating partners as well as with parents and siblings
- Provide mental health supportive counselling, case management support and client advocacy
- Active, on-going collaboration with community partners, court personnel and probation services
- Ensure maintenance of client files in accordance with agency policies and procedures, accreditation standards and legislation
- Support and sustain values of decolonization and racial justice as central to the work, and seek interventions that advance leadership of those most impacted by harmful systems
- Ensure clinical services are delivered in a manner consistent with all applicable agency policies and procedures and accreditation standards
- Support the youth in addressing individual and systemic issues to build stability and security
- Participate in agency committees, special events or community activities when determined appropriate in consultation with the Program Manager
- Participate in yearly service planning and program development meeting, as requested
- Ensure that all reporting and documentation meets requirements and are completed in a timely manner
- Participate in supervision, program meetings, all-staff meetings, clinical consultations, peer consultations, committee/partnership meetings and professional development, as required

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or relevant degree and/ or equivalent professional education and experience
- **Identification with and/ or experience supporting racialized communities in particular Black African/Caribbean communities**:

- Minimum three (3) years’ experience working with young persons involved in Youth Justice
- Knowledge of and experience working in the Youth Court and Youth Justice system
- Demonstrated knowledge of relevant social services resources, child and youth serving systems, youth criminal justice system, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) and the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA)
- Significant understanding of the impact of Anti-Black Racism (ABR) and expertise in supporting Black youth to build resilience
- Skills in assessment, counselling and case coordination with youth experiencing mental health challenges
- Commitment and experience working from an anti-oppressive framework
- Familiarity and expertise with youth engagement strategies
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development, crisis intervention techniques, Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT), Trauma informed and strength-based approaches
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively