Support Worker

A 13 year old boy in East Windsor with mental health struggles is looking for a direct support provider. Looking for someone to build a strong relationship with and appreciate this youth for who he is. Loves to joke around, enjoys playing video games, movies, and going to Tim Hortons This youth struggles to get outside and be social. Ability to assist in developing and enhancing social skills is an asset.

4 hours per week

$20.00 per hour

Respite provider must have a vehicle.

Family Respite Services (FRS) works in partnership with 1200 families who are caring for children with disabilities in Windsor and Essex County.

FRS mission is a community where families are strong and all children belong. We are needing Direct Support Providers to work in the family’s home and in the community to ensure caregivers get a much needed short break and children can engage in meaningful activities.

This is an ideal opportunity for you to make an impact in a child’s life and it’s the best way to gain experience in the social service industry.

**On any given day** you would meet the child in the family’s home, learn about their day and then create a respite support plan focusing on the child’s strengths and interests. You can develop fun and creative activities in the family’s home and in the community to ensure the child has opportunities and something special on the calendar to look forward to. You would be matched to one family to start your role as a Direct Support Provider, but many providers work with more than one family.

Activities could include going to the park, the library, working on academics, social skills, playing sport activities and recreation activities, plan arts and crafts while connecting with the child’s peers, it really depends on what the child enjoys doing and what the parents would like you to work on with their child.

Families look for someone to provide respite a couple of hours a day, a couple of days per week. You highlight what your availability is before you are matched to a family. We try to match Direct Support Providers to a family that lives close to you.
- Example: If you live in West Windsor, we try to match you to a family that lives in West Windsor or if you live in Leamington we try to match you to a family that lives in Leamington_

It’s not something someone can teach you, it’s not something you can learn, it’s something that you need to experience.

**Requirements**:

- Valid driver's license
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- Be willing to make a one-year commitment to one family
- Have past experience working with children

**Responsibilities**:

- Plan and develop engaging activities: academic, recreation, sport related, arts and crafts etc.
- You can highlight what you are comfortable doing and not comfortable doing before Family Respite Services matches you to a family. _Example: Some children require assistance with personal care and assistance with feeding so you would need to highlight what your comfort level is._
- Some children can be physically aggressive so you would need to highlight if you are comfortable working with a child with behavioural challenges._
- We are needing positive and energetic people that can take on initiative, get creative with respite support plans, take on a ton of responsibility and have a passion in making a difference in the family’s life.

**Why work for Family Respite Services**:

- Competitive Compensation rate of pay $15.50-$25 an hour depending on the families funding and your experience, you can highlight your requested rate of pay range.
- Flexible Schedule
- Example: you can highlight what your availability is, Family Respite Services works at finding you a family based on your availability. Typically, families look for support a couple of days a week afterschool/evenings or a block of hours on the weekend. Some families are looking for morning routine support._

**Schedule**:

- This is a great opportunity if you are in school full time or part time and if you already have a part time job. You could work 4 hours/week with one family or up to 35 hours with several families or in our residential homes that operate 24/7. Most families have additional summer hours where they are needing a Direct Support Provider.
- Screening Process:

- Create an online profile
- Submit a vulnerable person’s sector police clearance
- Three reference letters or contact information for references who have seen you interact with children in the past.

Specific roles as a Direct Support Provider:
support staff

respite provider

respite worker

personal support

community based respite

developmental services

child and youth care

medical assistance

educational support

childcare

communication

mentor

mentorship

recreation activities

direct support professional

academic support

physio activities

socialization

fine and gross motor

personal care

autism behavioural science

physical activities

outdoor recreation