Social Worker

**Who we are**

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities’ most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families.

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

**Who we need**

Reporting to the Clinical Manager, we are seeking a compassionate Social Worker to join our Here to Help program. Consistent with trauma-informed models of group service, Here to Help is a twelve week closed group offering mother and children (ages 4 to 18) a safe and supportive space to share and process their thoughts and feelings related to past experiences of domestic violence. Each week, group sessions include family dinner, a family activity and age appropriate groups for children and mothers. Children and youth will have an opportunity to explore their feelings, learn emotion regulation and understand that they are not alone in their experiences. Mothers have an opportunity in-group to focus on the unique aspects of parenting after abuse and learn strategies to support their children’s challenging thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

As a member of our clinical leadership and children’s mental health treatment team, you will be the main connection between potential clients and the program, conducting intakes throughout your days. You will draw in your own skills and mental health awareness to prioritize your well being, leveraging internal and external support. You will work with mothers and their children in group settings, on-site at our Queen Street location.

As a part of this position, Social Worker, you may also be involved in other aspects of Family Violence Services including facilitating the Mothers in Mind (MIM), a trauma-informed, mother-child therapeutic group program specifically designed to support infants and toddlers whose mothers have been impacted by interpersonal trauma.
- Therapeutic interventions may be delivered to individuals, groups and families. _You must be flexible to work varying hours in the day and up to two evenings a week to meet client needs.

**Who you are**

As a Registered Social Worker, you are looking for a place to channel your commitment to making a difference in the lives of mothers who have experienced trauma and their children. You want to leverage the expertise of a long-historied organization that operates at the cutting edge of evidence-based treatment for children, youth, and their families, a place where you will be supported in professional development and work-life balance.

**What's in it for you**

Profound purpose. You want to take mothers, children, and youth along a healing journey, guiding them to connect through trauma-informed group sessions. You will play a critical role in developing a treatment plan. You want to be a calming and secure presence, someone who is a caring and steady champion for the well-being of vulnerable clients and parents.

Growth as a Social Worker and as a compassionate human. You want to expand your knowledge, skills, and impact following our evidence-based practices and proven processes. You will be part of in-house professional development opportunities, guided coaching and mentoring. Through cross-functional collaboration and as a result of our broad scope of services, you will gain insights through interactions with other Social Workers, Psychologists, and Child and Youth Workers. You will support practicum student