Child and Youth Worker

**Job Summary**:
Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Women’s Rural Resource Centre’s Direct Care Team and Shelter Team, the Child and Youth Worker (CYW) is responsible for supervising, leading, and implementing the child and youth program. The CYW will also be responsible for communicating with participants, parents, and caregivers to identify needs and interests, and encouraging participation in all program activities. In addition, the CYW will provide advocacy, therapeutic counselling, education, and resources through a trauma informed approach to children, youth and their families who have been impacted by gender-based violence (GBV).

At WRRC, we believe every child and youth deserves a safe and empowering space to heal, learn and grow. We want to support all children and youth in developing healthy coping strategies, to feel belonging, hope and safety so they may thrive.

**Duties**:

- Develop, implement and evaluate engaging activities and programs that promote safety, learning, creativity, and personal development for children and youth
- Develop, implement, and evaluate appropriate group programming for caregivers, children, and youth; responsible to create or source content that is evidence based, uses a GBA+, is trauma and violence informed, culturally appropriate and aligned with WRRC values.
- Provide supervision and guidance to youth in a safe and supportive environment.
- Provide individual counseling sessions to children and youth impacted by GBV; counselling incorporates a gender-based analysis (GBA+), is based in psycho education and is delivered through art and play based therapeutic activities.
- Provide education and support sessions to caregivers, and families in our shelter, where appropriate, to understand the impacts of GBV on children and youth and develop positive parenting strategies that promote healthy attachments.
- Works effectively and maintains strong relationships with community partners (i.e. Children’s Aid Society (CAS), schools, police etc.), supporting and advocating for clients as needed.
- Acts as an advocate and educator within community on the impact of GBV on children and youth; represent the organization at various committees, make presentations or attend events.
- Provide resources, expertise and consultation for the Women and Family Services team, in relation to specific cases, or more broadly the impact of GBV for caregivers, children and youth.
- Solid understanding of the Family and Child Services Act. Provides staff with accurate and up to date information on legislation, relevant precedents, and guidelines.
- Document all interactions, services provided, and referrals made through the client database. Ensure case notes are clear and accurate, and written in accordance with policy.
- Follows incident reporting protocols for anything of a significant nature. Notifies management of these instances and escalates information for the completion of serious occurrence reports, as necessary.
- Identifies opportunities to improve services and makes recommendations with respect to program development and overall success.
- Contributes to a positive and welcoming environment, role modeling positive relationship behaviours, taking a proactive approach in supporting colleagues, and contributing to an overall positive and collaborative work environment.
- Assume responsibility for ongoing personal and professional development in collaboration with your supervisor and consistent with agency policies and procedures.
- Complete intake process for internal and external referrals of caregivers, children or youth who are impacted by GBV.
- Collaborate with the Shelter team and Direct Care team to provide programming and support to children and youth as well as their caregivers who are accessing supports at WRRC.
- Participate in ongoing clinical supervision provided by the organization.
- Working with school age children 5-17 yrs.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Education**:

- 3-year college diploma: Child and Youth Worker, or equivalent 3-year college diploma/university degree with a focus on child and youth studies. Relevant experience preferred; 1-5 year leadership experience is an asset. Equivalent related experience is an asset.

**Skills**:

- Demonstrates a strong feminist, GBA+, and trauma and violence informed analysis, approach, and practice.
- Demonstrates strong leadership behaviours
- Excellent conflict resolution skills; ability to facilitate difficult conversations
- Demonstrated knowledge of engaging with children, youth and families rooted in intersectionality, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice that nurture safe(r) spaces, cultural humility, and inclusivity.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Effective communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
- Fluency in other languages is an asset.
- Ability to work independently and utilize professional discretion.
- Ability to adapt to changing situations in the work