Birch - Youth & Family Counsellor I or Ii

Wood's Homes is a non-profit children's mental health center based in Calgary and we create and provide quality mental health services that promote and restore the well-being of children and families who struggle with problems big and small. Are you a passionate and dedicated individual interested in making a difference in the lives of children, youth and families? Are you committed to cultivating an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates diverse voices at every level? Then we want you to join the Wood's Homes team.

Wood’s Homes is searching for eight (8) Youth and Family Counsellor I or II for our Birch Program.
The Birch Program serves one youth between the ages of 12 and 17 years who has complex mental health and behavioral concerns that requires more individualized treatment service delivery and strengths-based support. The Birch Program was created as a specialized service to care for young people who are needing these extraordinary supports, and for whom therapeutic campus-based care or long-term hospitalization have not been seen as suitable options. The intensity of need of these young people can be such that they require a higher staff-to-client-ratio to effectively manage their significant risk to self and/or others (e.g., self-harm, physical violence, property damage). The program provides a structured environment with wraparound supports to facilitate greater opportunities for learning emotional and behavioral regulation, social skill development, and community connection to help improve functioning and belonging, and to help prepare the client for adulthood.
Role Summary:
Reporting to the Management of Wood's Homes as determined by each program, the Youth & Family Counsellor is the primary worker with children, youth and families, normally on rotating shifts that provide coverage twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and is a contributing member of a team providing service to children, youth and families within a structured setting. The Youth & Family Counsellor will demonstrate due diligence in being Exceptional in the delivery of high-quality services and in meeting the requirements of the Health and Safety Management System at Wood’s Homes.

Wood’s Homes pays a shift premium of three dollars ($3.00) per hour for all hours worked between 11:00 pm - 7:00 am.

Note: The Birch program is designed with the specific needs for the one identified client/youth it serves. These needs include sensitivity and reactivity to both peer/group and those who identify as female. This requires counsellors to be predominately MALE, and skilled in a variety of proactive treatment and restrictive procedures as well as have the ability to anticipate and keep self and others safe from potentially reactive behavior.

**Responsibilities**:

- Implementing and maintaining a structured setting fostering the development of personal and social functioning for each client.
- Participates actively in supervisory meetings, team meetings, and retreats, planning sessions, and designated in-service training.
- Is responsible for a variety of therapeutic responsibilities for particular children, youth, and their families. In combination with relevant case management, these responsibilities include attendance at case conferences, involvement in intervention strategies, consultations, school meetings, doctor’s appointments, family meetings, etc.
- Maintains the upkeep of the living space of the program and ensures the provision of a program that fits the requirements of the Licensing Department.
- Is responsible for a variety of tasks associated with program functioning including meal preparation, cleaning, and transportation of children, youth, and families.
- Executes other responsibilities as may be assigned.

Qualifications:

- Diploma/Undergraduate Degree in the Social Sciences, Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Nursing, or a related field.
- Current proof of professional registration may be required for certain diplomas or degrees.
- YFC I - Minimum two (2) years of related experience in working with young people or youth transitioning into adulthood and adults in a residential setting.
- YFC II - Minimum four (4) years of related experience in working with young people or youth transitioning into adulthood and adults in a residential setting.
- Experience in working with young people preferred.
- Owing to the nature of presenting concerns, male applicants preferred.
- Certified, trained in or familiar with crisis intervention, restrictive procedures, and behaviour management.
- Congregated Care experience would be an asset.
- Current CPR and First Aid Certification. Must have a full, non-GDL class 5 driver’s license and own transportation.