Child & Youth Counsellor, Aftercare Service

**JOB OPPORTUNITY - Child & Youth Counsellor, Aftercare Service - Full-Time Permanent Position**

**Position Summary**:
Reporting to the Aftercare Manager, the Child and Youth Counsellor will provide community based services including case management and system navigation to realize the individualized Transition/Discharge Plans of clients leaving intensive services,. Working in collaboration with Aftercare team, family/guardian and community supports (as per consents), the Child and Youth Counsellor will also provide therapeutic bridging services within their scope of practice, including individual, group counselling, behavioural, crisis prevention and skill development supports to maintain the progress that was achieved during admission to a Youthdale intensive treatment program. Clients will range in age from 10 to 24, with the normal length of service up to 3 months.

**Location**: Head Office (229 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON)

**Hours**: 40 hours per week

**Status**: Full-Time Permanent

**Union/Non**: This is a unionized position

**Rate of pay**: $23.3755 per hour

**Accountability**:
This position reports directly to: Aftercare Manager

Supervises: CYC students

Works collaboratively with the inter-professional team, client families/guardians, and community resources.

**Corporate Responsibilities**:

- Fosters positive interpersonal relationships with the staff, clients, visitors, outside agencies, government officials and related professional associations.
- Maintains and adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
- Maintains and adheres to all relevant legislation.
- Attends work on a regular and consistent basis.
- Works safely in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Agency Health and Safety Act and the Agency Health and Safety Manual.
- Demonstrates clinical practices, which are consistent with the mission, vision and philosophy of Youthdale Treatment Centres.

**Responsibilities**:

- Engage with clients and guardians/families (as per consents) and the Youthdale treatment team to plan individualized transition/discharge goals and complete written Transition/Discharge Plans.
- Assess and understand client mental health needs through a developmental and trauma informed lens and formulates methods of intervention in collaboration with the team.
- Utilize quantitative measures as indicated to inform assessments, monitor progress, readiness for discharge from the service and post discharge outcomes.
- As indicated by the Plan, facilitate multiple care aspects (e.g. individual support and counselling, case coordination, information sharing, system navigation).
- As indicated by the Plan and individualized goals, assist clients to become independent withactivities of daily living, ability to recognize and manage signs and symptoms of mental health concerns, and provide behavioural support as required.
- As indicated the Plan and individualized goals, provide supports to clients to develop skills and independence in relation to attending and engaging in school programs, vocational or employment opportunities, social/recreational and healthy peer activities, and/or to connect to follow up counselling or treatment services.
- Accompany clients and or family/guardian to appointments, meetings, and case conferences as needed.
- Review and update individualized goals and Transition/Discharge plans and checklists, informed by outcome measurement tools and completed with clients and family/guardians as indicated at established intervals.
- Provide therapeutic, skill oriented peer and family groups in collaboration with the Aftercare team.
- Engage with Transfer of Care Resources, supporting client, family/guardian introductions, planning, and handover.
- In collaboration with client & family/guardian complete and send a package of transfer documents to Transfer of Care Resources prior to discharge from Aftercare, e.g., referral letters, clinical records, discharge letter.
- Develop effective working relations and cooperate with community child and adult service providers and agencies throughout the entire process.
- Coordinate and provide care that is client and family centered, safe, timely, effective, efficient, and equitable.
- Actively participate in administrative, clinical meetings and trainings.
- Complete required documentation including Transition/Discharge Plans, Transfer of Care package, program forms/checklists, outcome measures, session notes, and all other reports in a timely manner.
- Attends regular individual and group supervision.
- Represents the Agency in a professional manner when interacting with families, external professionals, general public and community partners.

**Qualifications**:

- College diploma or university degree in child and youth work or relevant field is required with 5 years of experience.
- Experience working with children or youth in a mental health and inter-professional setting is preferred.
- Experience in residential or inpatient